Ruqaya was diagnosed with a brain tumor in May 2018. It was the most horrific news for all of us. Ruqaya was having bad headaches. We honestly did not think of it being a tumor because a simple headache Advil would cure them. The headaches kept getting worse. Her father took her to the emergency room and they gave her Tylenol and sent her home.
But a few days later the headache came back and this time it was even worse. We took her right back to the emergency room and got the news that crushed our world, a tumor. She had to have surgery right away because it was growing and was blocking fluids in her brain. She was flown to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She had brain surgery and it was successful, but the news got worse. We were told it was stage 4 cancer.
She had a very rare tumor and must undergo chemo and radiation for 2 years. The numbers they gave us were not good at all. We thought about it and prayed for a sign. We decided not to go with chemo as the numbers of her surviving were not good. We decided to take her on a pilgrimage, a more spiritual journey, so we did. We came back and in November 2018 we were told it grew back and in 2019 she had another brain surgery. It was successful but with some complications. So Ruqaya started her chemo and radiation journey on June 25, 2019.
Ruqaya has been through a lot, things no child should go through, but remains strong to fight this battle!
Hope session by Laura Snyder Photography | Facebook