Warriors and Survivors - 253

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 253

I am Rukh Yusuf, Clinical Pharmacist, also specialized in Total Parenteral Nutrition and Bone Marrow Transplant. I have worked in the Pediatric Oncology unit of a public hospital. 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.

This week marks the beginning of a new chapter in our pediatric oncology stories. Over the past months, we have shared journeys from within our own center, but now we are opening this space to stories from pediatric oncology units across Pakistan and beyond. Each center carries its own experiences, its own challenges, and its own children who quietly endure the long path of treatment. Through this series, we hope to bring forward voices and journeys from different hospitals, reminding us that the struggle against childhood cancer is shared not only by children and families but also by healthcare team across many places.

Our first story in this new series comes from the Pediatric Oncology Unit at MTA Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, where children receive dedicated care under the supervision of Dr. Muhammad Kashif Afridi and his team. Among the many children treated there is Farha, whose journey over the past year reflects both the difficulties of treatment and the hope that follows.

Farha was diagnosed with Wilms tumor more than a year ago. For her family, the diagnosis came as a sudden and overwhelming moment. Like many parents, they entered the hospital seeking answers for their child’s symptoms, only to find themselves facing a reality they had never imagined. The early days after diagnosis were filled with fear, confusion, and countless questions about treatment, recovery, and the future.

Treatment began soon after diagnosis and continued for over a year. This long course required regular hospital visits, chemotherapy sessions, laboratory tests, and continuous monitoring. For Farha, hospital corridors became familiar. She learned to sit through procedures, take medications on time, and adjust to a routine that revolved around treatment schedules. Some days were easier than others. There were moments when she felt energetic and playful, and other times when fatigue and treatment side effects made even simple activities challenging.

Cancer treatment changes the rhythm of childhood. School attendance often pauses. Playtime becomes limited. Physical strength fluctuates with each treatment cycle. Children may not always express their fears, but they experience the emotional weight of repeated hospital visits and medical procedures. Yet many children adapt in quiet ways. They find comfort in small routines, familiar faces in the hospital, and the steady presence of their caregivers.

Families face their own parallel challenges during this period. Parents often spend long hours at the hospital while trying to maintain stability at home. Financial concerns can slowly build over months of treatment. Emotional exhaustion becomes part of daily life as each scan and laboratory report brings renewed anxiety. Siblings also feel the shift in family attention and routine. Despite these pressures, families continue forward with determination, guided by hope and by the strength they see in their child.

Farha’s journey followed this demanding path. Under the care of Dr. Muhammad Kashif Afridi and his team, she remained on treatment for more than a year. Each phase required patience and resilience from both Farha and her family. Over time, small milestones began to appear completion of treatment cycles, encouraging test results, and gradual improvement in her health.

Today, Farha has reached a hopeful and reassuring stage. She has completed her treatment and is now doing well. She has been declared cured and remains under regular follow-up to monitor her continued health. Follow-up visits now serve as reminders of recovery rather than sources of fear. Each visit marks another step away from illness and toward a normal childhood.

Recovery after cancer treatment is not only physical but emotional. Families slowly return to routines that once felt distant. Children regain strength, confidence, and the ability to engage again in school and play. For Farha and her family, this phase brings relief and gratitude after a long and challenging year.

As we begin sharing stories from pediatric oncology centers across Pakistan, Farha’s journey reminds us of the many children who walk this difficult path and emerge stronger. It also highlights the ongoing challenges families face throughout treatment and the importance of consistent care and support. This new series will continue to bring forward such journeys from different centers and cities, each story not only bring the struggle of suffering child and family but also highlights the efforts of treating physician and healthcare team.

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

Note: “The child’s name has been changed to protect privacy, and the accompanying image is AI-generated.”