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.