Short Story Contest ’08 2nd Place – “Cancer in Ramadan” by Khaled elMassri

AlHamdulillaah, the brothers finally got their representation in the contest  :)

Congratulations to brother Khaled elMassri of Australia for sharing with us his experience of “Cancer in Ramadan” – may Allah grant you the best of health and keep you in that state, ameen.

As 2nd prize winner, br. Khaled is the recipient of $75 Cash + Book: “When the Moon Split: the Biography of the Prophet” + 1 Free AlMaghrib Registration.

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Cancer in Ramadan – Khaled elMassri

I am a 25 year old young man from Melbourne, Australia. When I was 17, I was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia and underwent 26 months of chemotherapy. By the will of Allaah, I was cured and resumed my life. When I turned 21, I began to practise my religion. The more I studied, the more alive I felt Alhamdulillaah.

When I was 23, a brother rang me and gave me the news that he had been diagnosed with Leukemia, and he was seeking my advice as to how to go about it. I told him, that he has knowledge and Allaah on his side. When I went through it, I wasn't practising my religion. I did not know that this was a test from Allaah. I did not know that this could be a purification on of my sins. I did not know that with every hardship, their will be a mighty reward waiting for us if only we are patient. The brother took the advice and Alhamdulillaah remained steadfast.

One week later, my Leukemia had relapsed. Alhamdulillaah

I did a few months of intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy and was all ready to go for a bone marrow transplant. SubhanAllaah, none of my family were donors. My donor was from a Jewish man who lived in Germany. May Allaah guide him to the Haqq.

I did my transplant on March 13, 2007. The likeliness of it working was not very high. The doctors had given me a 75% death rate by the end of the year. I kept my trust in Allaah, as I had learnt much from my studying of the religion over the past years and I learnt how to put my trust fully in Allaah.

In April, I had a bone marrow biopsy to see if there was any cancer cells. Unfortunately, they found some there. The transplant was not very successful, but Alhamdulillaah I had not relapsed.

I continued my treatment.

In July that year, I fell very ill. The doctors feared the worst. They feared that I had relapsed, so they did another bone marrow biopsy. I spent a few weeks in hospital. It was very difficult to see my family go through this. I am the eldest son and have 2 younger brothers and a younger sister who all look up to me, and I love them all dearly Alhamdulillaah.

Everytime I had the brothers visit me, they would ask the doctors how I was doing. And the answer was always 'not so good'. I remember there were times where brothers would come in to say their 'farewells' SubhanAllaah.

I waited 5 weeks for my bone marrow biopsy results. One day during Ramadan, while in hospital my doctor walked in and told me the results are back. He explained to me that the test was done to see how much the cancer had spread and how much 'time' I had left. He went on and on, and in the end I had tuned out. My mother was sitting right next to me, and she was in tears because she felt that bad news was coming. Than he looked me in the eye and said to me, “There is no sign of cancer in your body whatsoever.”

SubhanAllaah! Indeed a great Ramadan gift. May Allaah reward everyone who made du'a for me and for all the brothers who donated marrow for Allaah's sake. And for those who made du'a for me on Mount Arafat. Truly it only comes to show that Allaah has power over ALL things and that our time is in His Hands.

This was the best news I had ever received and Alhamdulillaah, it came during Ramadan. Now, I am working full time and about to have my nikah after Eid InshaAllaah.

May Allaah reward you.