Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 211
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.
Badshah is a 13-year-old boy from Ferozewala, a small town just outside Lahore. Like many children his age, he enjoys playing cricket in the street with his friends and has a natural curiosity about the world around him. His family is modest, with his father working long hours as a daily wage laborer and his mother managing their home and caring for their three children. Until a few months ago, Badshah’s life was simple and peaceful. Then came a diagnosis that changed everything.
It started with weakness and swelling. Badshah began to lose his appetite and complained of pain in his abdomen. His mother noticed a swelling in his lower stomach, which didn’t go away. At first, the family thought it might be a stomach infection or maybe a minor issue. They took him to a nearby clinic, where doctors gave him some medicines for pain and digestion. But things didn’t improve.
As his condition worsened—he became more tired, started losing weight, and could barely eat—his parents knew something was seriously wrong. They gathered what little savings they had and took him to a government hospital in Lahore. There, after several blood tests and scans, the doctors suspected something more serious. He was referred to a larger facility for further evaluation.
The initial diagnosis was B-lymphoproliferative disorder, a type of disease where the body starts making too many abnormal B cells, which are a kind of white blood cell. Though the term was unfamiliar to the family, the doctors explained that it could be a type of cancer, but more tests were needed. That word—cancer—hit his parents hard. They had never imagined their healthy, playful child could have such a serious illness.
Badshah was then admitted to the Children’s Hospital in Lahore, where a team of specialists took over his care. It was here, after a biopsy and further investigations, that the final diagnosis was made: Burkitt Lymphoma, a rare but aggressive form of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. It spreads quickly, but if caught early, it can respond well to treatment.
For Badshah’s parents, the days that followed were some of the most difficult they had ever faced. The stress of not knowing what would happen, managing hospital visits, arranging finances, and caring for their other children felt overwhelming. His father had to take time off work, losing precious income, while his mother stayed by Badshah’s side in the hospital, sleeping on benches or hospital floors when beds were unavailable.
Treatment began quickly. Chemotherapy was started to try to control the fast-growing cancer. Badshah’s hair began to fall out, he felt nauseous, and he had to be kept away from infections due to his low immunity. There were days he didn’t feel like speaking at all. Other days he would ask his mother when he could go back home, when he could play again. It broke her heart to not have answers.
One of the most painful parts for the parents was watching their son go through pain they couldn’t take away. The strong medications made him weak, and there were times he cried through the night. His parents had to remain strong for him, even when they felt like breaking down. The support of doctors and nurses at the Children’s Hospital gave them some hope. They explained the treatment steps clearly and assured them that they were doing everything possible to help Badshah recover.
Outside of the hospital, life didn’t pause. Bills piled up, and the family depended on support from relatives and neighbors. It was a test of strength not just for Badshah but for the entire family. Still, they remained committed to his recovery, willing to make any sacrifice necessary.
Months have now passed since the first signs of illness. Badshah is still undergoing chemotherapy, and his journey is far from over. But he has responded well so far. The tumor has reduced in size, and his energy is slowly returning. He smiles sometimes, jokes with the nurses, and talks about going back to school when he feels better.
For a family from a small town with limited resources, facing a diagnosis like Burkitt Lymphoma can feel like entering an unknown world. But Badshah’s story is one of quiet courage. It is not full of drama or miracle cures—but of real people dealing with real struggles, step by step.
His parents still worry about what lies ahead, but they are also proud of how far their son has come. They continue to hope for his full recovery and a day when this chapter will be behind them.
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 Badshah to recover quickly and never experience his illnesses again. May she live happy and healthy life once again. Aameen.
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