Warriors and Survivors - 158

 

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 158

I am Rukh Yusuf, Clinical Pharmacist, also specialized in Total Parenteral Nutrition and Bone Marrow Transplant. I have been working in the Pediatric Oncology unit of a public hospital for several years. The mission of this blog is to bring to you the real-life stories of child patients suffering from cancer. Cancer is still a difficult disease to handle and treat. However, when it strikes the children, some so young that they cannot even speak, their agony is beyond expression and words. Let us pray especially for children suffering from cancer for early and complete remission. May Allah shower His Merciful Blessings upon them. Aameen. 

Hepatoblastoma is the type of liver cancer mostly diagnosed in young children. Almost all (95%) children with hepatoblastoma are diagnosed before they are 3 years old. The incidence of hepatoblastoma has doubled in the last 20 years. It is thought that this rise in incidence may be related to the increase in rates of survival of very low birth weight, premature infants who are known to have a higher risk of developing hepatoblastoma than children who were not born prematurely. 

Ayan was 18 months old when he was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma. He was having a normal life with his family when his mother realized Ayan was having an enlarged abdomen. To cure him, she used some home remedies first to cure him.  Later she had to take Ayan to physician when none of the remedy could cure him. The Physician refereed her to hospital after initial treatment and some tests.

Later in hospital, Ayan was diagnosed with stage III hepatoblastoma. It was in two lobes but could not be removed because it was close  enough to the blood vessels in the liver. 

His surgery and treatment was planned, it was decided that he will receive chemotherapy first and then his surgery will be decided after the chemotherapy.

Ayan’s chemotherapy was initiated, Ayan  carboplatin and  Doxorubicin. He had chemotherapy every 2 weeks that usually took an average of 2 days. Ayan received the first round of chemotherapy, and her mother was worried how will he tolerate. After the second round, he was stable. Since his tumor was responding, they decided to stay on the protocol.

Just 10 days after his second birthday, Ayan had a 4-hour operation to remove the entire right lobe of his liver and his gallbladder. During surgery he lost quite a lot of blood and was given five units while in the operating room. He was transferred to ICU  and was given another unit of blood and one of platelets. He remained there for only 36 hours and was transferred to the pediatric oncology unit.

By the third day, he was improving. Two weeks after the operation, his chemo was planned again. Her mother has requested for prayers for her little angel with wet eyes.  

Let’s pray for Ayan complete recovery and healthy life. 

Lots of prayers for all sick children to recover quickly and never experience their illnesses again. May they lead happy and healthy lives once more. Aameen.

Warriors and Survivors - 157

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 157

I am Rukh Yusuf, Clinical Pharmacist, also specialized in Total Parenteral Nutrition and Bone Marrow Transplant. I have been working in the Pediatric Oncology unit of a public hospital for several years. The mission of this blog is to bring to you the real-life stories of child patients suffering from cancer. Cancer is still a difficult disease to handle and treat. However, when it strikes the children, some so young that they cannot even speak, their agony is beyond expression and words. Let us pray especially for children suffering from cancer for early and complete remission. May Allah shower His Merciful Blessings upon them. Aameen. 

Bilal was diagnosed with kidney cancer when he was one year old. It was a worst time for him and his parents. His parents strived hard for his cancer treatment and with this treatment Bilal managed to live nearly 07 years with half a kidney before it started to fail last year.

His parents called for help to search kidney donors and after an extensive search for three months they succeeded in finding a near match. After a long search Bilal and family found a matched donor and soon the little champ was ready for a transplant. Though he had a matched donor but transplant is  a complex treatment.  With Allah’s grace and efforts of health care team and his family,  Bilal’s transplant worked well.

Transplant brings lots of precautions and a modified lifestyle. With a new kidney to care for, Bilal had been more careful as per clinician’s recommendation. He could not play and enjoy his childhood like every other child. Bilal is still a young boy with a transplanted kidney, and he has his whole life ahead. He is fond of playing cricket and wants to be an engineer. 

His parents are working hard for his smooth life and health ahead. Let’s pray that Bilal lives a healthy and happy life. 

Lots of prayers for all sick children to recover quickly and never experience their illnesses again. May they lead happy and healthy lives once more. Aameen.

Warriors and Survivors -156

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 156

I am Rukh Yusuf, Clinical Pharmacist, also specialized in Total Parenteral Nutrition and Bone Marrow Transplant. I have been working in the Pediatric Oncology unit of a public hospital for several years. The mission of this blog is to bring to you the real-life stories of child patients suffering from cancer. Cancer is still a difficult disease to handle and treat. However, when it strikes the children, some so young that they cannot even speak, their agony is beyond expression and words. Let us pray especially for children suffering from cancer for early and complete remission. May Allah shower His Merciful Blessings upon them. Aameen. 

Waqas was living a very active life on a small property in Okara with his family, when he developed persistent fever. His parents took him to the GP, who thought it was ‘just the flu’. Waqas then started complaining of pain when he sat down. 

The father took Waqas to the pediatrician for tests and was waiting for the results when he noticed a small red dot on Waqas’s hip − a symptom he now knows as petechiae.  He rang a friend who is a GP, who suggested to take Waqas to the local hospital to get checked. 

Waqas was admitted to the local hospital where he had blood tests done. A few hours later, Waqas’s blood test results came back abnormal, and he was transferred to a public hospital for further investigations. Initially, the parents were told that their son most likely had leukaemia. But later they were given a definitive diagnosis: acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). 

The parents were advised to expect six months of intensive treatment. All began well, with Waqas going into remission after his first round of chemotherapy. But the journey was like a roller costar. 

It is never easy for parents with a sick child having chemotherapy. Waqas and family however survived by Allah’s grand grace.

Today, Waqas is 8 years old and in Grade 3 at school. Looking to the future, his parents are fearful that Waqas is at risk of further health challenges as a result of his cancer treatment, as well as the Fanconi anemia. There are a lot of things that could come up as he grows. 

But the family is determined for the challenges for the sake of the little angel. 

Prayers for  Waqas’s  healthy life ahead. Lots of prayers for his parents and whole family who is with him always. 

Lots of prayers for all sick children to recover quickly and never experience their illnesses again. May they lead happy and healthy lives once more. Aameen.

Warriors and Survivors - 155

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 155

I am Rukh Yusuf, Clinical Pharmacist, also specialized in Total Parenteral Nutrition and Bone Marrow Transplant. I have been working in the Pediatric Oncology unit of a public hospital for several years. The mission of this blog is to bring to you the real-life stories of child patients suffering from cancer. Cancer is still a difficult disease to handle and treat. However, when it strikes the children, some so young that they cannot even speak, their agony is beyond expression and words. Let us pray especially for children suffering from cancer for early and complete remission. May Allah shower His Merciful Blessings upon them. Aameen. 

Sometimes, we encounter stories that tug at our hearts, reminding us of the resilience and courage found within the human spirit. Today, I will share the journey of a 6-year-old boy Ali battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a journey that paints a portrait of strength in pain.

Leukemia, a term that may sound horrible to some, becomes painfully real when it touches the life of a child. A diagnosis of AML shakes the very foundation for both the child and their family. Suddenly, routines are replaced with hospital visits, playground laughter gives way to the hushed whispers of medical staff, and illness.

For a 6-year-old, life is supposed to be about exploring the world with wide-eyed wonder, not navigating the complexities of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants. Yet, here he is, bravely facing each day with a resilience in spite of his tender age. His small frame may be weak, but his spirit shines brightly amidst the darkness of disease. 

The suffering and pain of AML manifest in various ways for this young warrior. There are the physical challenges – the nausea that accompanies chemotherapy, the fatigue that weighs heavily upon his limbs, and the uncertainty of how his body will respond to treatment. Yet, it is the emotional toll that often goes unseen, the silent struggles that play out behind closed doors. 

Imagine the confusion and fear that cloud his innocent mind as needles pierce his skin and medications flow into his veins. Imagine the ache of longing as he watches other children play outside while he remains confined to a hospital bed. And yet, amidst it all, there is a tiny hope – a belief that tomorrow holds the promise of better days.

In the midst of his suffering, this 6-year-old finds peace in the simple joys that life still offers. He may not be able to run and play like other children, but he finds companionship in the nurses who tend to his needs with gentle hands and warm smiles. He may miss out on schoolyard adventures, but he discovers the magic of storytelling through books and videos.  

As he undergoes treatment, his family becomes his anchor, providing unconditional support and love. They too feel the weight of his illness, yet their presence serves as a source of strength for him during the darkest of days. 

This 6-year-old may be battling AML, but he is also rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a survivor. 

So, as we bear witness to his journey, let us hold him in our thoughts and prayers, sending him love and light as he continues to his journey. And may we draw inspiration from his courage, knowing that even in the face of adversity, hope shines brightest of all

Prayers for  Ali’s  healthy life ahead. Lots of prayers for his parents and whole family who is with him always. 

Lots of prayers for all sick children to recover quickly and never experience their illnesses again. May they lead happy and healthy lives once more. Aameen.