Warriors and Survivors - 171

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 171

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. 

Omer was diagnosed with Wilms tumor when he was one year old. His mother shares his story. 

She noticed a prominent lump in Omer's neck, and she immediately decided to take her son to see the doctor, who then referred Omer to the hospital. 

Omer had been a well-baby and met all expected milestones, that is why initially the doctors at the hospital thought this issue to just be viral. However, his symptoms continued and one day he became very irritated and lethargic. Again, the parents took their son to the General Physician who referred them to the hospital for a second time.

During this visit, doctors felt a lump in his tummy and his blood results came back as abnormal. An X-ray was then carried out which showed a shadow on his kidney. After further multiple diagnostic tests, this was later confirmed as Wilms tumor. Omer was diagnosed as stage 3 Wilms tumor and the tumor had taken over so much of his left kidney that it needed to be removed.

Omer went on to have surgery to remove his kidney followed by 26 weeks of chemotherapy and eight sessions of radiotherapy to reduce his chances of relapse. He took all of his treatment while suffering with pain and lethargy, and the many stays in hospital due to illnesses as a result of his immune system being so weak. 

Omer has now been in remission for four years and is a happy, healthy six-year-old boy. Although Omer didn't display many signs and symptoms of cancer, family is thankful that they  had a very cautious physician who acted very quickly in referring him for further testing and the mother believes that this aided his quick diagnosis and treatment. 

Lots of prayers for young Omer and family, May Allah make their future easy and may his disease never come back. Aameen

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.