Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 205
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.
Stars we lost – Eternal light
Today I came across Zahid’s picture who had been under treatment for a long time in oncology unit of our hospital, he was from Sahiwal and used to come to Lahore with him mother, father and younger brothers for treatment.
Zahid’s picture made me sad, and I recalled the memories with him, he was 9 years old skinny child and used to come at my workplace whenever he was admitted for his scheduled treatment. He was a patient of hepatocellular carcinoma, and I met him during my routine work in the unit. Just a small discussion and he was my friend.
He had lots of dreams and wishes, dream to be an engineer someday, dream to be his family’s support as he had two younger brothers. He always wished to play in the ground like normal children which he never could do due to his health. Though he was able to walk by himself but later he was so sick that he had to be on wheelchair.
After four years of treatment and struggle he lost his battle to cancer.
Zahid's picture brought back memories of all the stars that we have lost during my work at children hospital, of course I do not know all, but I remember a lot of them whom I met and had a chance to talk to them about their feelings, their pain and their struggle.
I cannot forget many of them, it hurts whenever I recall them, I remember a cute and smiling ten years old Asad who was suffering with T cell ALL and who expired in a blink of an eye.
Mehreen is still in my memory who had been on palliative care for a long time due to her relapsed Leukemia.
Ushna, a big girl who was so shy as she had lost her hairs due to treatment, she seemed so sad not because of her pain but the trouble her family had to face for her treatment and traveling back and from Okara to Lahore.
I still remember, Aamna an eight-year-old talkative girl who used to see me and call my name loudly, she was a Leukemia patient and used to come from village for her treatment. I cannot forget her smile and tone.
This blog is for all the pearls that we lost, these warriors who could not win but fought bravely till their last breath.
Talking about these warriors, once Farida apa (our philanthropist and social worker) said, “these stars are making galaxy in the sky, and I am waiting to meet them once I will join them”.
Prayers for the lost stars and their families who have to face this pain of losing their child whole life. May Allah make it easy for them. 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.
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