Warriors and Survivors -172

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 172

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. 

When Rimsha started her sixth grade, she had a swelling on her neck, it was a big lump in just few weeks. It was so pronounced that several friends at school asked her what was wrong. Her parents took her to a local doctor who treated initially and later referred her to oncologist.

Rimsha’s parents were highly concerned about the word oncologist. They took her to ENT (Ear, nose and throat) specialist, ignoring the general physician’s concerns. After examining her neck, ENT doctor wanted them to see an oncologist.

The family had to go to Children hospital to see the oncologist. After some tests, the oncologist recommended lymph-node biopsy. Lymphoma was suspected, and the only way to get a definitive diagnosis was biopsy. 

In next week, Rimsha was admitted in hospital for surgery. The surgeon removed lymph nodes and sent them to pathologists for biopsy evaluation. After a week, the family got the biopsy result, and it was the terrible news of their life. Rimsha had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Her parents were shattered on the day when they got the diagnosis, they felt the world has ended for them.  The didn't understand illness of their beloved daughter or what paths this could take. They just knew word ‘cancer” and life risk associated with it.

Soon, the oncologist gave a plan for chemotherapy. She started receiving the drugs as an outpatient at Children’s hospital; they have planned four chemotherapy cycles over five months.

It is a difficult time. Rimsha is not able to attend school frequently but keeping up with her schoolwork. She has to be admitted to children’s hospital sometimes for close monitoring when she becomes ill. 

Rimsha is elder sister of two brothers, she is also staying on-point as caring older sister even in her sickness except the days when she is too down due to chemotherapy.

Rimsha has inquisitive nature; she asks questions about her disease and treatment. Sometimes she comes to ask about her chemotherapy and asks questions about her drugs.

Her parents are satisfied so far with their beloved daughter’s treatment, and they seem hopeful that their precious child will come out of this as a survivor.

Rimsha has still a long way to go in this cancer treatment journey, those who know cancer and its treatment are also aware how bumpy the road is.

Lots of prayers for young Rimsha and family, May Allah make their future easy and may she recover soon and her 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.