‘Don’t Tell My Parents That I’ve Cancer’: Heartfelt Story of a 6-Year-Old Cancer Patient Leaves the Internet in Tears

In a heart-touching incident, A Hyderabadi doctor shared on Twitter what transpired after receiving an unexpected request from a six-year-old cancer patient. The heartwarming story has now gone viral, the post will simply make you teary-eyed. Here’s what happened.

The thread began with some heart-wrenching words by a patient named Manu (though that is not his real name) who said, “Doctor, I have grade 4 cancer and will live only for 6 more months, don’t tell my parents about this”.

Dr. Sudhir then went on to describe the instance from the start when he was busy at the OPD and a couple walked in to tell about their child suffering from grade-4 cancer. Just as other parents would do, they also requested him to not disclose the condition to the kid and just advise him on the treatment to which the doctor obliged. On seeing the records, Dr. Sudhir realised that Manu was suffering from “glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 in the left side of the brain, due to which he had paralysis of the right hand and leg.” The brain tumour left a part of his body paralysed that further caused seizures.

Kumar further shares how Manu was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme grade 4 on the left side of the brain. But the brave boy was more concerned about his parents. He asked for some alone time with the doctor and asked him not to disclose his terminal stage to his parents.

“After parents left the room to wait outside, Manu said- ‘Dr, I have read all about the disease on iPad and I am aware that I will live only for 6 more months but I haven’t shared this with my parents, as they would get upset. They love me a lot. Please don’t share with them,” read the tweet.

6-yr old to me: “Doctor, I have grade 4 cancer and will live only for 6 more months, don’t tell my parents about this”
1. It was another busy OPD, when a young couple walked in. They had a request “Manu is waiting outside. He has cancer, but we haven’t disclosed that to him+

— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM?? (@hyderabaddoctor) January 4, 2023

After listening to the words of a six-year-old boy, the doctor was shocked and couldn’t speak for a few moments. The doctor assured the boy that he would not tell his parents about the same. Considering it a sensitive issue, the doctor called his parents and told them everything about the conversation between him and the boy. In the tweet, the doctor mentioned, “I couldn’t keep the promise to Manu, as it was important to bring the family on the same page on this sensitive issue. The family needed to enjoy together whatever time was left. More so, as Manu knew about his illness. Whether he understood the gravity, I am unsure.”

After nine months after this incident, when the parents came back to visit the chamber, the doctor recognised them and asked about Manu’s health. The parents replied that they had lost Manu a month back. Both of them visited the doctor to thank him for the treatment.

The parents were thankful to Dr Kumar. “Doctor, we had a great time with Manu after we met you. He wanted to visit Disneyland and we went with him. We took temporary leave from job and spent quality time with Manu. We lost him a month back. Today’s visit is to just thank you for giving us those best 8 months,” the tweet concluded.

Manu’s story left internet users teary-eyed as they were stunned by his courage and understanding at such an early stage of life that was, indeed, unbelievable. “Touched & Speechless…” wrote a social media user. “This broke my heart. We always give kids less credit than they deserve. Thank you for sharing,” remarked another.