Qasim Ahmed's Brain Cancer
Donation protected
The Emergency
On Tuesday, August 7th, 2018 Imam Qasim Ahmed was rushed to the emergency room at Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston. He was soon transferred to ICU for neurosurgery scheduled to occur that Friday August 10th, 2018. What his testing showed, was a mass/tumor on the left side of his brain, deep in the tissue. Doctor’s needed to perform a biopsy to determine if the tumor was benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Since it was too deep in the tissue to get a sample, surgeons would have to take samples during the surgery to remove it.
The Surgery
They used a process called laser ablation to kill the tumor with minimal invasiveness. This process entails a guided and heated needle-like tip being inserted into the brain and killing the tumor. After 4+ hours of brain surgery and testing, they were able to reduce the tumor inside by about 90%.
Diagnosed with Glioblastoma. An aggressive form of cancer.
Unfortunately, the 10% that remained was too high a risk to remove. Testing showed that it was malignant and Imam Qasim was formally diagnosed with glioblastoma. This is an aggressive form of cancer that is fatal. Doctors agree, on average people live with it for 2 years. 5% of people may live 5 years. Less than 1% of cases live 7 years or longer.
The good news is that there is hope. There are clinical trials being done that appear to have cured people and trial treatment options that have stopped regrowth. While, these cures/trial treatments are being tested, and not available to those patients not approved for them (generally about 90 – 150 people), they show progress and movement towards a permanent cure available to everyone.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
The first step for Imam Qasim will be getting the standard treatment which is chemotherapy and radiation. The mild chemotherapy he has to undergo will be administered in pill form. 28 days a month, for 12 months. The side effects are minimal, mainly being slight nausea that will be counteracted with anti-nausea medication. The radiation therapy will occur 5 days a week for the next 6 weeks. This therapy is targeted, non-invasive radiation. The only side effect being fatigue, most people experiencing exhaustion and need to rest an extra hour per day. Medicine and treatment have come a long way!
After the standard treatment, he will be eligible for a number of clinical trials that may find him cured. Family and friends do not see this as a terminal diagnosis, but the beginning of a journey we hope will end in a prolonged life and recovery.
His love for family and the community
Imam Qasim has always had 2 families. One, his loved ones and blood relatives. The second, his community, which he loves whole-heartedly. We are asking for donations that will go towards medical care and living expenses as he endures this test. As we know, God never places a burden on us greater than we can bear. Imam Qasim’s life is not just the heart that beats in his chest. It is his work, his community, his loved ones and his faith. We thank you for any donations and will keep you updated on his progress and treatment.
On Tuesday, August 7th, 2018 Imam Qasim Ahmed was rushed to the emergency room at Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston. He was soon transferred to ICU for neurosurgery scheduled to occur that Friday August 10th, 2018. What his testing showed, was a mass/tumor on the left side of his brain, deep in the tissue. Doctor’s needed to perform a biopsy to determine if the tumor was benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Since it was too deep in the tissue to get a sample, surgeons would have to take samples during the surgery to remove it.
The Surgery
They used a process called laser ablation to kill the tumor with minimal invasiveness. This process entails a guided and heated needle-like tip being inserted into the brain and killing the tumor. After 4+ hours of brain surgery and testing, they were able to reduce the tumor inside by about 90%.
Diagnosed with Glioblastoma. An aggressive form of cancer.
Unfortunately, the 10% that remained was too high a risk to remove. Testing showed that it was malignant and Imam Qasim was formally diagnosed with glioblastoma. This is an aggressive form of cancer that is fatal. Doctors agree, on average people live with it for 2 years. 5% of people may live 5 years. Less than 1% of cases live 7 years or longer.
The good news is that there is hope. There are clinical trials being done that appear to have cured people and trial treatment options that have stopped regrowth. While, these cures/trial treatments are being tested, and not available to those patients not approved for them (generally about 90 – 150 people), they show progress and movement towards a permanent cure available to everyone.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
The first step for Imam Qasim will be getting the standard treatment which is chemotherapy and radiation. The mild chemotherapy he has to undergo will be administered in pill form. 28 days a month, for 12 months. The side effects are minimal, mainly being slight nausea that will be counteracted with anti-nausea medication. The radiation therapy will occur 5 days a week for the next 6 weeks. This therapy is targeted, non-invasive radiation. The only side effect being fatigue, most people experiencing exhaustion and need to rest an extra hour per day. Medicine and treatment have come a long way!
After the standard treatment, he will be eligible for a number of clinical trials that may find him cured. Family and friends do not see this as a terminal diagnosis, but the beginning of a journey we hope will end in a prolonged life and recovery.
His love for family and the community
Imam Qasim has always had 2 families. One, his loved ones and blood relatives. The second, his community, which he loves whole-heartedly. We are asking for donations that will go towards medical care and living expenses as he endures this test. As we know, God never places a burden on us greater than we can bear. Imam Qasim’s life is not just the heart that beats in his chest. It is his work, his community, his loved ones and his faith. We thank you for any donations and will keep you updated on his progress and treatment.
Organizer
Masjid WDM
Organizer
Golfcrest, TX
Inspired to help? Start a fundraiser for someone you know
