A mum received devastating news after a simple accident of her two-year-old baby boy stubbing his toe revealed something much more sinister.
Amina Haq’s “whole world turned upside down” when she learned that her baby boy, Zakariyah, had cancer.
The 40-year-old had become concerned when he accidentally banged his little toe on their washing machine.
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Two days later, his toe had turned purple, and she rushed Zak to A&E where he was given antibiotics.
Sadly, these did not resolve the issue.
The next day, Amina rushed back to the hospital, and her toddler had to stay overnight while doctors ran a blood test.
What came next was totally unimaginable for Amina and her husband, Suhaib, 40.
They received the news that Zak had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
“When he was diagnosed I felt disbelief and shock,” Amina, who is from Crawley, in West Sussex, told Need To Know.
“Our whole world has turned upside down.
“We were overwhelmed and extremely worried.
“It was first thing in the morning when we were told he had cancer, and that an ambulance was waiting outside for us.
“I felt numb. It was all very rushed and happening fast.
“There was no way and no time to take it all in.
“We learnt that Zak’s immune system was very low and that if he hadn’t had the toe injury, we would have found out about the cancer another way at some point.”
Zak was initially admitted to East Surrey Hospital but was later transferred to St George’s Hospital, in London, where he was placed in an intensive care unit.
Doctors suspected he had also contracted a flesh-eating disease, but luckily this was not the case.
The family had a tough road ahead as they tried to come to terms with the tragic news of his diagnosis.
After two weeks in hospital, Zak was allowed to return home.
Amina and Suhaib were taught how to insert a nasogastric tube, which carries food and medicine to the stomach through the nose.
He continued to receive an intensive programme of chemo and steroid treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London.
“The doses gradually intensified over a three-month period,” Amina said.
“At one point he was having chemo nearly every day and his hair fell out.
“He didn’t handle it very well, because he was so little and didn’t understand what was going on.
“We had a lot of doctors examining him, and as a result, he became scared of all the doctors and nurses
“He was absolutely petrified.
“It took him a long time to get over that. He was too young to describe how he was feeling when being treated and would just cry.
“We were very scared of what was happening and what was to come.”
Zak received maintenance treatment for a year.
He still requires a lumbar puncture every six months, as well as chemotherapy once a month.
He takes various different medications each week, including a steroid called Dexamethasone.
“The doctors have all been amazing and did a great job,” Amina said.
“Treatment ends June 2025 and this will be followed by regular check-ups for at least five years.
“There is always that fear in the back of your mind that the cancer will come back.
“Zak has handled the entire journey amazingly well.
“He’s a little fighter. He’s an inspiration to all of us.
“Even when he’s feeling down or in pain he carries on and laughs it off.”
A UK-based charity, Cancer Support UK, helped Zak on his journey by gifting him a special sensory ‘Cuddles for Christmas’ Warmies bear.
He carries this everywhere with him, taking it to every hospital visit as it provides him with reassurance in his tough moments.
The bear has a lavender scent and can be warmed up in the microwave.
Cancer Support UK is aiming to deliver 1,200 Warmies teddies to children’s cancer wards across the country by 21 December.
Zak and Amina are proudly part of the campaign and hope to encourage others to donate so that children battling cancer can receive one.
“It’s been the hardest two years of my life which is why the arrival of Cancer Support UK’s Warmies bear was so welcome,” Amina said.
“The bear brought joy into Zak’s life.
“He finds great comfort holding his cuddly ted when he goes to sleep and plays with it constantly.
“This is why we are supporting Cancer Support UK’s Cuddles for Christmas appeal.”
Zak, who is now four years old, lives at home with his parents, and his sister, Kyra, aged six, who he has a close relationship with.
Amina also cares for her 83-year-old father who lives with the family.
He really enjoys attending school and is able to live a very active lifestyle as he loves to ride his bike, swim, and play football.
“Zak absolutely loves school,” Amina said.
“He can be just himself, a normal little active boy, no one talks about his cancer.
“He can’t wait to get up in the morning and get into his uniform.
“The school has been really supportive – his teacher is wonderful and nurtures him, which is just what he needs.”
Zak has seven months left of his treatment.
The family, who have not been on holiday for three years, hope to go on one once he has recovered and want Zak to choose where they will go.
It has been three years since they have been able to do this, and they want Zak to choose where they will go.
Amina added: “As soon as we get the go-ahead, we are planning on going on holiday somewhere Zak would like to go – but don’t know where yet.”
