Warriors and Survivors -174

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 174

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. 

Erum was just eleven months old when she was admitted to Children’s Hospital. She had been, unwell for a couple of weeks so her parents took her to hospital and later had to admit her for timely treatment. A scan revealed a tumor in her chest so large it was pushing her tiny heart and lungs to one side.

Within few days she was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit and they had to put her on life support because she could no longer breathe without aid.

Her parents had waited for eight years for Erum to arrive in this world. Now they were told by the physicians that Erum may not survive. The condition of the parents hearing this news is beyond words. Poor mother wanted to take the cancer away from her child and she would have taken it on herself rather than see her suffer as she did. 

Erum was in a critical condition. She went on chemotherapy but after two weeks, the tumor showed no signs of responding. In fact, it continued to grow bigger. Nothing seemed to be working, and time was running out.

Her tumor biopsy was subjected to detailed analysis and her parents’ consulted physician and seeing the biopsy report they decided in a meeting that they will start her treatment with another regimen. After couple of weeks, her treatment was initiated again, and this time Erum was responding to treatment. It was with prayers of her parents and hard work of her physicians and nurses that Erum was responding well and there was a hope for her life. 

 Within four weeks, the cancer had shrunk to a point where Erum could be taken off life support, and within six weeks she was moved out of Intensive Care. Erum’s parents couldn’t believe the amazing results — they had a feeling that their little girl was coming back. No words could express their gratitude.

Today, Erum is better than before, she still has to undergo more chemotherapy cycles. So far, she is responding well to the treatment and there is quite a hope that her tumor will be treated completely with the treatment. Her parents are praying for the day when they will have the news that Erum’s tumor is gone, and their daughter is off treatment for good.

Lots of prayers for young Erum and family, May Allah make their future easy and may 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.