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Our Kids - Meet Mutasim

Mutasim, 4, living with rhabdomyosarcoma

The first language of Mutasim's mom, Jasmin, is Bengali, but she has "no language to thank the staff at SickKids," the place they called home for nearly a year.

In June 2010, then 4-year-old Mutasim was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a tumour in his bladder. He started chemotherapy the next day. Jasmin quickly faced the reality that she may not be able to bring Mutasim home for a long time.

For the short periods of time Mutasim was able to be discharged, he experienced severe abdominal pain. He was most comfortable at SickKids, so it was better for him to stay, with access to pain medication. Jasmin and her husband took turns staying the night with him while he was in hospital.

After two months of treatment, Mutasim had surgery to remove his bladder and have an artificial bladder inserted. The surgery was followed by eight more months of chemotherapy. In between treatments, his days were spent with a tutor, making arts and crafts with Child Life specialists, and playing in the Starlight Lounge, a special play area at SickKids for oncology patients.

"All of the activities at SickKids became a great distraction from the medical tests. It was the best way for him to forget about the pain," says Jasmin.

Mutasim had a second surgery in March 2011 to remove scar tissue from the first procedure. A month later, he finished his active treatment and was discharged.

His most recent surgery was in September 2011, to repair the channel leading to his bladder. Since then, hospital visits have become fewer and farther between. He started back in school full time and loves being back in the company of his classmates.

"Mutasim is now able to live as normal as possible. He isn't in pain and I can't thank the doctors, nurses and staff at SickKids enough for helping him get better."

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