Waheeb Khan

As I approached the age of 21 years in the year 2003, I noticed a small lump in my right cheek. At first we all ignored it assuming that it was because of the eruption of my wisdom tooth. Time went by and amidst this period of pain. I also cleared my O-level with distinction. Then one day, after returning from college, my mother noticed that one of my eye surgeon who referred me to a dentist for investigation, who referred me on to an ENT specialist. This doctor recommended a CT scan. The scan showed that I had a tumor in my mouth.

Completely devastated and not knowing what else to do, we rushed to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre where a biopsy revealed that I was suffering from Ewing’s sarcoma, an aggressive from of cancer. At first my father and I didn’t even share the information with my mother. I knew that she would be shattered by the news.

However just before the onset of the first of the twelve cycles of chemotherapy I was to receive, we told her. It was an extremely testing time, however we gave each other strength and support we all needed. The tumor decreased in size after the fourth cycle of chemotherapy and I underwent an operation to ensure that my eye could also be saved. That was followed by radiation. At the pint in time I did fall seriously ill during the chemotherapy but the doctors helped me to pull through. Throughout this time we remained positive and had faith in God and I responded well to the treatment. My treatment wad finally completed in the year 2005 and I now regularly visit SKMCH&RC for follow-up.

I am currently studying in B.Sc Hons. (Economic) from Becoanhouse National University and always keep an eye out for breakthroughs in the treatment of my disease. I hope to go abroad for higher education, but I will come back to Pakistan to help serve