Warriors and Survivors - 143

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 143

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. 

Sania is only ten years old with the biggest tragedy for any child of her age. Couple of months ago, she started having abdominal pain. Then, one day Sania woke up struggling to breathe and her abdomen was swollen. The pain gradually increased with abdominal distension. Her parents realized something was seriously wrong with Sania, so they took their beloved daughter for through checkup. Upon initial checkup, The GP sent her to A&E, where a chest X-ray revealed a large mass. She was then sent for a CT scan, which showed she almost certainly had some kind of cancer in her abdomen.

She was referred to oncology unit and there the family got the worst news of their life i.e., Sania had cancer. 

She was admitted and began a high dose of steroids. A biopsy was performed. The doctors thought it was probably lymphoma, perhaps thymoma and a small chance it was a mediastinal germ cell tumor. It was a germ cell tumor. The biopsy only found germinoma, but later on, the blood reports would show it was a mixed tumor.

Yes, the ten years old girl was suffering with germ cell tumor (GCT). With time, the tumor increased in size and so was her abdomen. For a girl of her age, it was an unbearable emotional trauma along with all the suffering of getting sick and being admitted in hospital.

It’s been two months now that Sania’s treatment has started, and she is doing well so far. She still has to undergo surgery after chemotherapy and it’s a long way to go. 

She had one round of Etoposide and Carboplatin chemotherapy, then four rounds of BEP. In March 2024 she has to undergo surgery to remove the tumor. 

Her parents are very brave, and they are determined for the complete treatment of their daughter. 

Prayers for Sania’s treatment success and complete recovery. Lots of prayers for her parents and her whole family who are fighting this battle together.  

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.

Warriors and Survivors - 142

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 142

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. 

Aisha was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in April 2020. She knew something was wrong when she developed sores on her tongue, was very weak, and started to bleed from her nose and mouth. Aisha started treatment within couple of days, and gradually started feeling better and stronger. At first, she didn’t have an appetite, but it returned. 

Today, almost three years later, she remains cancer-free. The journey was not easy and smooth, but it was worth taking the risk for.  Aisha’s treatment lasted about six months, shorter than other kids diagnosed with AML.  She and her family had to go through lots of pain, disappointment and rough days. Some days, they felt Aisha may no longer be able to bear the disease and its treatment and some days she seemed very well. Aisha, though a little young girl, had a great will power all through her treatment duration. She remained strong and hopeful for a healthier better future.  

AML is one of the childhood blood cancers (leukemia) that are very difficult to cure. It is very difficult for most of the children to bear treatment toxicities and side effects of the therapy. Most of the patients only receive end-of-life care for children with AML. However, some lucky patients get timely, accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

When asked what she would say to other kids with cancer, Aisha didn’t hesitate in her response. She said, “Take them to the hospital. Get them good treatment like me. Show them much love and take care of them so they will get well like me.”

No doubt proper treatment, love and care lead to miracles. 

Prayers for Aisha’s smooth life ahead. Many prayers for his parents who had been through a very difficult time.  

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.

Warriors and Survivors -140

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 140

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. 

In February 2021, Kaleem, who was 10 at the time, started talking through his nose and his parents thought he was coming down with a cold.

His mother looked in his mouth and saw a swelling at the back, it was so big that it pushed his uvula to the side. They went straight to the GP and the doctor referred them to local hospital.

An ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist saw him and thought it was a type of abscess. He tried drawing fluid from it three times, but nothing came out.

He was on two different types of antibiotics. Exactly a week later, medication was finished but the swelling had not changed, and Kaleem had started to snore during the night, so they went back to GP.

GP sent them again to the local hospital and they saw a different ENT specialist. Kaleem was not ill, did not have a cold, sore throat or anything but they kept them in hospital for four days for intravenous antibiotics. He also had an MRI scan done.

Nothing at all was mentioned to parents that this could be something serious. On 23 February, they went for a biopsy and Kaleem was kept overnight for observation.

On 24 February, Kaleem and his parents were waiting to be discharged when an ENT consultant came in and told them that Kaleem’s initial results showed he had a lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma/Burkitt lymphoma. 

Kaleem’s parents agreed to chemotherapy starting that weekend. Kaleem’s tumor was the size of an orange in his throat and it was aggressively growing. If they didn’t do this straight away, he would suffocate in his sleep.

Then came the cycle of six months as an inpatient. Kaleem blamed his mother for making him ill, as he thought he was okay but by bringing him to the hospital made him sick.

He needed a feeding tube as he couldn’t eat, he needed to go to theatre every cycle to have chemo and steroids put directly into his spinal fluid to stop the cancer spreading to his brain and spinal cord, he went from 35kgs to 28kgs, and there were times when his parents thought he wasn’t going to make it.

Kaleem finally went into remission at the end of treatment in August 2021. Since then, he has suffered after-effects of the chemo, tiredness being the main one. Generally, his health is good, he has a vitamin D deficiency picked up at a blood test and still suffers occasionally with tummy troubles, but he has learnt to deal with it. He is confident and a happy boy. 

Cancer isn’t fussy, it’s not bothered about color, creed, religion or age, so my only encouragement or words to any patient embarking on this journey, is that you are never alone, not ever. Put your pain and hurt into getting back from hell, because you will, you just need a little faith, a little luck and a bit more belief.

Prayers for Kaleem’s complete recovery and smooth life ahead. Many prayers for his parents who had been through a very difficult time.  

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.

Warriors and Survivors -139

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 139

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. 

Even without knowing Jamal, one can see from his picture only that he is a fighter. It’s not because he wants to be, it’s because he has to be.

Only at 7 years of age, Jamal was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a very rare type of cancerous tumor, affecting about 200 kids of age 10 to 20, mostly males. It grows in the bones or the soft tissues surrounding the bones. The tumor began in Jamal’s back, pressing his lumbar spine and the nerves controlling his left leg, causing radiating pain and temporary paralysis. 

Jamal had emergency surgery to remove the tumor, then his first round of chemotherapy was started to treat the disease. His mother told that “Jamal spent more than 100 days as an inpatient at Children’s hospital.” 

After first cycle of chemotherapy, Jamal had radiation therapy as an outpatient. The goal was to be sure all of the cancer cells in the original tumor were gone. And for a while, they were. 

Jamal was doing well for a while, and he started school again. But about two years after he finished treatment, Jamal started waking up with terrible headaches. Few tests confirmed the cancer was back, appearing at the cervical spine and in his ribs. It was devastating for Jamal and family, but poor kid decided to fight again and so did his parents. 

Jamal was again on chemotherapy for round two which was followed by radiation. “It seems like treatment has become routine for Jamal,” mother said. 

Today, Jamal is on a new combination of chemotherapy. He balances treatment with reading and spending time with family.

Jamal and his family continue to choose optimism, generosity and love throughout treatment, He is an inspiring young man, and he should be given every possible fighting chance.

Prayers for Jamal’s complete recovery and smooth life ahead. Many prayers for his parents who had been through a very difficult time.  

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.

Warriors and Survivors - 138

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 138

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. 

Here is another story of one more angle and his family suffering with this chronic disease and related miseries.

It’s about Ahmad Raza, a ten-year-old boy who was enjoying his life like a normal kid, happy and contented when he started having intermittent fever. His fever increased gradually along with vomiting and pain in his abdomen. 

Thinking it’s a seasonal viral infection, his parents consulted the local GP. The physician administered symptomatic treatment and advised blood tests. Seeing Ahmad Raza’s CBC, he was referred to hospital for further diagnosis and treatment. The parents first took him to general hospital, where his BMB was done and later he was referred to Children’s hospital Lahore on suspicion of blood cancer.

Here at Children Hospital, Ahmad Raza was diagnosed as patient of ALL, it was a life changing moment when the family got the news about their child being a cancer patient. His mother was silent for days after having this news. 

Ahmad Raza is on anticancer therapy, he is having UKALL regimen B protocol and doing well so far. Life is not as it used to be before this cancer news. The family is taking it bravely and surprisingly Ahmad  has also proved his strength. But the disease he is having is cruel and unpredictable. Ahmad and his family need lots of strength to go through these difficult times. 

The treatment duration is long, and chemotherapy is hard for a ten-year-old child who is travelling from a different city to have his treatment. Ahmad has four siblings at home to be taken care of in a different city. This chronic disease makes many lives miserable. We pray and hope this treatment continue to be light and effective for Ahmad Raza and his family. 

Prayers for Ahmad’s complete recovery and smooth life ahead. The poor child is fighting the hard battle. Many prayers for his parents who are going through a very difficult time.  

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.

Warriors and Survivors - 137

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 137

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. 

Both parents weren’t initially worried when their usually happy, and healthy, 6-year-old son complained about pain in his leg. But then it began waking him at night and their parental instincts went on high alert. When Ahsan began limping and was in nearly constant discomfort, both parents started looking for help.

For seven months, they took their son from one doctor to another, from Lahore to Islamabad, but there was no definitive diagnosis. Meanwhile, Ahsan’s health worsened. “He was rapidly losing weight, was always very tired, stopped attending school, stopped eating and was in constant, unbearable pain,” his mother said.

Finally, doctors re-evaluated the boy’s condition and referred him to an oncology specialist. A biopsy confirmed what the parents had feared all along: cancer—specifically, Ewing sarcoma. Tests showed a tumor had affected Ahsan’s right hip and thigh bone. Ahsan eventually began chemotherapy, but by then his health had significantly deteriorated. 

Ahsan’s parents went to children’s hospital and doctors there offered Ahsan’s treatment. 

In December 2022—11 months after initially seeking treatment for their son—the family went to children’s hospital Lahore. After reviewing his records, oncologist, said the team here could offer surgery and further treatment. They gave some hope that he can be treated. 

Ahsan was immediately admitted to Children’s hospital, and chemotherapy was restarted as the health experts assessed his condition. In January 2023, surgeons removed Ahsan’s tumor. He had surgery, followed by more chemotherapy and a unique radiation treatment. By July, his cancer was gone.  Ahsan headed home in August, but he’ll be returning every three months for the first year, and then continue follow-up for many years to come. Doctor will check regularly to ensure his cancer hasn’t recurred.

“Ahsan’s case has been challenging because of the aggressiveness of his tumor and the extensive surgery he required, but he did remarkably well.

His parents said, “Ahsan was getting stronger every day and they will forever be grateful not only to the medical professionals, but to the numerous friends they made. Children hospital will always feel like a second home”.

Prayers for Ahsan’s complete recovery and smooth life ahead. The poor child is fighting the battle again. Many prayers for his parents who are going through a very difficult time.  

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.

Warriors and Survivors - 136

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 136

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. 

When Jawad was just 9 months old, his pediatrician took one look at him sitting in mother’s lap and asked how long his belly had been distended. His mother was shocked: “I thought it was just a baby potbelly.” The doctor felt Jawad’s belly and noticed his liver was enlarged. A heel prick test indicated low hemoglobin.

The parents and Jawad, headed to a local hospital, where a blood test showed the baby’s platelet count was very high. They were referred to Children’s Hospital.

At Children’s Hospital, an ultrasound revealed a mass on Jawad’s liver. “They told me that they thought it was cancer.  Mother recalls. “I can still remember those exact words. They were scary, but I didn’t cry. I found strength I didn’t how I had that day.”

Jawad was admitted to the oncology unit. A biopsy confirmed it was hepatoblastoma, the most common malignant (cancerous) liver tumor in early childhood.

During the next six months, Jawad underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove part of his liver. Surgeons performed the complicated procedure — the tumor was attached to a vein. 

He lost over 70 percent of his liver, but he avoided a liver transplant, which was a huge thing.  After two more rounds of chemotherapy, in the summer of 2020, Jawad was considered in remission.

Unfortunately, all was not well — and now the bad news was for parents. The mother was diagnosed with an abdominal tumor, a rare tumor possibly associated with a genetic condition. 

Jawad enjoyed six years of remission, which meant he began attending hospital follow up visits and clinics for kids who are at least five years post-diagnosis and at least two years after the completion of all cancer therapy.

In the summer of 2021, however, he went from survivor back to patient after developing a stomach bug two weeks before school started. It went away for about a week, and he made it to his first day of school, but the vomiting started again the next day. 

Jawad did not usually get headaches, and he hardly complained, but he was in tears and gripping his head. They came on after a long day playing outside in the heat with friends. His mother thought it was dehydration, but somewhere in her head, warning bells were starting to go off.

At the local ER, an X-ray of his chest and abdomen showed nothing. But something was clearly wrong. Finally, one of his pediatricians said enough was enough and told them to see a gastroenterologist at hospital. Jawad was drained and feeling pretty weak. The doctor they saw was troubled by  description of his headaches. 

An MRI showed a mass in his brain. 

Jawad was admitted again and was in surgery the next day.  Head of Neurosurgery removed the tumor completely. A spinal tap showed Jawad’s spinal fluid was free of tumor cells, so he was listed as standard risk. 

He still has to go for six weeks of radiation of his brain and spinal column followed. His nine rounds of chemotherapy needs to be done. 

Prayers for Jawads’s recovery and smooth life ahead. The poor child is fighting the battle again. Many prayers for his parents who are going through a very difficult time.  

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.