Tharwat, South Africa

So my son Rafeeq Parsley Was diagnosed With T Cell lymphoblastic leukemia in August last year.

It came as a huge shock to us as family. From being a healthy and playful child since birth to a child who I now have to limit on certain things or events.

Rafeeq whom is now 6 year old started swelling in his face early August shortly after I noticed his breathing wasn't okay, it was like he struggled to breath, mainly at night I immediately took him to a private doctor where they said it's allergies and gave him some antibiotics after 1 week with no improvement I took him to redcross where they found a mass above his chest which was pressing on his windpipes causing the breathing difficulties and water on the 1 lung. Doctors then sat down with me and explained to me the possible causes and highlighted that the main cause for this is cancer. My world stood still, I was in disbelief like my son whose only been to a hospital for his immunization is now sitting here with me not knowing what is about to unfold.

They immediately booked him for theater where he had surgery to drain the water from his lung, spinal tap and bone marrow biopsy where it was confirmed that his bone marrow was packed 88% with cancer. He spent roughly 1-2 weeks in ICU to recover and was after moved to G1 ONCOLOGY WARD. Finally I could sleep over and just be with my baby but the horror just began it was lumbar punches, bone marrow biopsies, countless injections. I don't know what traumatized me more seeing my child in so much pain or the brutalness of the treatment given to these kids in hopes to save them but there was no other way. Rafeeq has shown nothing but braveness and that gives me strength aswell, by doing his lumbar punch without sedation and even his cranial radiation at groot Schuur he did without being sedated. 

For now we visit redcross 2-3 times a week for chemotherapy which includes asparaginase, vincristine and adriamycin

At home his on dexamethasone (15 tablets a day), omeprozole(2 tablets a day) and cortrimoxazole(weekend antibiotic) 

This has been one emotional Rollercoaster for me and very traumatizing. We nearly heading in for 6 months being under redcross and the treatment plan for T Cell lymphoblastic leukemia is 2-3 years. So it's constant up and downs, his been home for about 2 months but attends redcross 2-3 days a week for chemotherapy.

This is a very emotional time for us seeing your child in so much pain having to drink so many medication it's just heart wrenching

Words of encouragement would mean alot aswell cause up until today it's very difficult for us but we do remain positive and pray for strength each day

Below I've attached a link to his backabuddy cancer relief fund

Please do share

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/rafeeq-age-6-cancer-relief-fund