Warriors and Survivors -208

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 208

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. 

Shortly after his third birthday, the parents began to notice significant bruising on the body and also below the knees on their son, Tahir. Their worries grew further when they started realizing that Tahir is more tired than usual. He was having difficulty breathing, and he was struggling to do  everyday activities.

It was worrisome at this point, so they decided to take Tahir to the pediatrician, where some blood tests would soon determine their family's journey for the next several years. While anxiously awaiting the blood test results, the parents received a call from their pediatrician advising them to take Tahir to the emergency department at Children’s Hospital immediately. At that point, they began to realize this was something really serious..

Tahir’s parents will never forget the last week of school, when they picked him up and took him to the emergency department at Children’s Hospital for further testing, where more blood work, an x-ray and other imaging were performed. That day, parents received the news that no parent should ever have to hear – “your child has leukemia.”

Tahir was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was immediately admitted and placed under the care of pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Children’s hospital, where he began his treatment plan.

It’s been more than a year now since his diagnosis and start of treatment, Tahir is doing well so far. His parents are trying their best to keep up with his treatment requirements and also his emotional needs. His mother is always with him and his father is also seen very often with him.

For all the three, life is quite uncertain so far, but they are trying to do their best in all ways. 

As for Tahir, he is enjoying life like every kid should. He is too young to understand what treatment and Leukemia means. He just knows he is in hospital and his parents are always there for him. Tahir still has to go through a long treatment journey and his parents have to struggle a lot.

Prayers for the all the sick children and their families who have to face this pain of cancer. May Allah make it easy for them. Aameen

 Lots of prayers for Tahir to recover quickly and never experience his illnesses again. May they lead happy and healthy lives once more. Aameen.