Cancer concedes before stoic 11-year-old
Even when a diagnosis was proving difficult, Jordanian pupil refused to be daunted
On the occasion of World Cancer Day (February 4), doctors and parents of an 11-year-old Jordanian girl in Sharjah have shared her inspirational story of overcoming cancer.
Tala Osama, daughter of Osama, 50, an electrical engineer, and Leena, 39, an Arabic teacher, was studying in Grade 6.
Recollecting the series of developments since January 2022, Leena said: “Tala was like any other kid, playful and mischievous, with the only difference being that she would get tired easily and claim painful and weak legs after any sporting activity.”
One day, Tala showed a protruding lump on her abdomen.
Her parents took her to a paediatrician, who asked them to take her to a bigger facility as he could not make any diagnosis.
The ordeal of reaching the exact cause of Tala’s problems had just started. The parents took her to four reputed centres in Sharjah, but none could diagnose the little girl’s cancer. The symptoms resurfaced, and this time they were frequent and severe. Six months had already elapsed by now and the cancer had grown.
The fifth doctor developed a particular interest in the case. Soon enough, he reached the diagnosis of Hodgin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.
Leena said: “Not knowing the diagnosis is frustrating because the emotional upheaval of carrying your child from one unit to another looking for an answer is emotionally draining.”
Tala was prescribed a fourmonth treatment plan having a monthly dose of chemotherapy. Tala took her last dose of Chemo on July 13, 2022. Finally, two diagnostic tests confirmed the good news – Tala was cancer-free towards the new year.
Tala completed her academic year online. She is doing well in school. Leena said: “As we see Tala going about her daily activities, I cannot but admire my child who went through so much at such a young age and yet she manages to put a smile on our faces every day. She’s a mama’s girl, and she is my inspiration.”