Supporting Umm Aiman for her liver surgery

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

This is your br in Islam Abu Aadam Usaamah Hayles. As some of you may know, my wife Umm Aiman, Maryam, was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of 2023. Since then, she has undergone multiple operations and procedures in an effort to manage her condition and slow down the cancer’s progression.

She is currently battling Stage 4 cancer only by the will of Allah و لا حول و لا قوة إلا بالله and in the last 8–12 months, she has had a range of procedures and operations — all of which, as I speak today, have not stopped the progression of her cancer.

One of the most important surgeries she underwent was a bowel operation performed 8 months ago, which served two purposes:

1. To attempt to slow the growth of the the cancer by removing the primary tumour and reduce further spread. Yhe operation was successful in and of it self.

2. To prepare her for a liver transplant.

However, the transplant came with a condition — she needed to remain progression-free for two years. Only by the will of Allah and his decree which we strive to remain pleased with, her cancer continued to spread, and doctors recently discovered masses or nodules in her lungs. This has resulted in related difficulties such as breathing and her left lung not operating efficiently, as a result, the transplant is no longer an option.

Despite this, we accepted the decree of Allah — وَاللَّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ — and we continue to hold on to hope, duʿā’, as well as support from the brothers and sisters.

Since then, we have been advised that ultimately that is left is chemotherapy and to plan for the future. Since my wife has been back on chemo over the last 2 months, chemotherapy has failed more often than not — due to illness, as well as allergic reactions to the chemo which she had not experienced prior to the bowel operation. One of these allergic reactions was life-threatening.

Recently, my wife has been admitted to hospital again (and remains there as i write this), which has unfortunately been a frequent occurrence over the past year especially. Her liver has become dangerously weak, and she has begun to accumulate fluid in her abdomen and lungs.

Doctors have explained that this fluid buildup is a result of liver becoming weak . The condition is medically known as:

Ascites – fluid accumulating in the abdomen

Pleural Effusion – fluid accumulating around the lungs

This happens when the liver is no longer able to properly filter and regulate fluid levels in the body. As liver function worsens, pressure increases in the veins surrounding the liver (portal hypertension) and protein levels drop, leading to leakage of fluid into the surrounding cavities. This has affected her breathing and causes severe discomfort, and requires ongoing hospital care to manage symptoms.

As it stands today, the NHS has exhausted all treatment options available to them for her condition.

Exploring Another Option — Bi’idhnillah

In recent weeks, we’ve been speaking to individuals who had very similar conditions and stages of cancer as my wife — patients whose stories led us to a specialist doctor in Germany, Dr. Vogel, who has experience dealing with aggressive cases like hers.

Alḥamdulillāh, we’ve been in contact with him and he has responded positively. He believes he may be able to help and has advised that he could begin a course of procedures, specifically TACE surgery (Transarterial Chemoembolization), which is a targeted treatment used for cancers affecting the liver and nearby regions.

This treatment will consist of multiple rounds, each spaced 6–8 weeks apart. Every procedure costs £3,900, and based on what we’ve learned from others who have undergone this same treatment with Dr. Vogel, my wife may need 10–12 rounds, possibly more, due to the aggressive nature of her cancer.

Why We’re Reaching Out

We are in the process of finalising the paperwork and scans required by the doctor in Germany. The NHS must send these documents directly to him, and we are hopeful that once this is done, treatment can begin immediately — bi’idhnillāh as the treatment at this stage is critical and at this point in which i write this is urgent.

In the meantime, we are reaching out to our brothers, sisters, and anyone whom Allah places in our path, that we ask them bi-llah for your support in covering the cost of this ongoing treatment.

We know times are difficult, and we ask Allah to bring ease to us all.

May Allah cure my wife, grant her complete shifā’, lift this hardship from her, and return her to good health. And may He bless every single person who contributes with a place in your mīzān of ḥasanāt on Yawm al-Qiyāmah, and make it a means for your ease in both this life and the next.

Wa ask Allah by All his names those he named himself with and those and those he revealed in a book or taught someone from his creation and those he kept to himself in the unseen that he grants my wife success in this or anyway he decrees for her.

جزاكم الله خيرًا، وبارك الله فيكم جميعًا.

الحمد لله رب العالمين.