Helping Ibrahim

Hey all my name is Reece and I need your help to support my friend and colleague Seyed (Mas) Hamidi, his wife Sherryl and their son Ibrahim whilst he is going through his childhood cancer treatment.

I have asked Mas to share what he and his family are going through and why they need our support.

This medical nightmare began for us on Monday, 18th November, the day Ibrahim was scheduled for his six-month vaccinations. During the appointment, Sherryl mentioned a concern to the doctor that Ibrahim’s stomach looked unusually enlarged. The GP immediately performed a physical examination and felt a lump, then urgently referred us for an emergency ultrasound.

Just two hours later, during the ultrasound, the technician saw something resembling a mass and told us we needed to head straight to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital emergency department for further assessment. From that moment on, everything changed.

At the hospital, doctors began a series of assessments, including X-ray, MRI, CT and MIBG scans and biopsy all of which pointed to something serious. Then, on Thursday, 21st November, our world shattered when we were told he had Stage MS neuroblastoma which is a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer. The following day, on Friday, 22nd November, under the care of his oncology team, Ibrahim began his first round of chemotherapy.

Over the next couple of weeks, the results of his scans revealed the tumour had spread to several areas of his body, including near his spinal column, on his liver, a few skin nodes on his back and left foot, and had also wrapped itself around his left kidney. Since that heartbreaking day, he’s already endured six intense stages of chemotherapy. Each round has been incredibly demanding, both physically and emotionally and bringing with it extreme fatigue, pain, nausea, and a weakened immune system.

Despite everything, Ibrahim has faced it all with incredible bravery, strength, and a quiet determination that continues to amaze everyone around him. He’s fighting this battle with so much courage, and we couldn’t be prouder of him.

On April 4, he underwent major surgery to remove a large portion of the tumour. The cancer had wrapped around his left kidney, so the surgeons had to remove it as well. The operation left him with a large incision across his stomach, and the recovery has been rough.

He spent three nights in the paediatric ICU, followed by seven more nights in the children’s ward. Pain management has been challenging, but he’s pushing through with so much strength and courage.

Following the surgery, Ibrahim’s oncologist informed us that he will need to undergo two more rounds of chemotherapy to target any remaining cancer cells. After that, his team will continue to closely monitor his condition to see whether any remaining cells will mature, or if further treatment is needed.

Through it all, Ibrahim continues to show his sweet, loving nature. He’s a happy little boy who loves music, cuddles, and anything with wheels - especially his toy cars and trucks. Even on the hardest days, he manages to flash us the most beautiful smile and remind us of his resilience. He finds joy in the smallest things and brings light to everyone around him, including the nurses and doctors who care for him.