Menaal's Story
A life lived
against all odds
December 30, 2005
🌸 She Cheated Her Way Into Life
Shermin and I both carry the recessive Thalassemia gene. We had gotten the fetus' blood tested during pregnancy — results said the child would be a carrier, like us. On December 30th, 2005, Menaal came into our lives, a blessing for which we'll forever be grateful.
February 8, 2006
💔 The Call That Changed Everything
We took a call that would tell us our baby actually had Thalassemia Major. The sample had been cross-contaminated — we had gotten the wrong results. Our world was turned upside down. And yet — she turned it all back around with her light.
2006 – 2023
✨ 18 Years of Pure Radiance
Blood transfusions every 4 weeks. Daily iron chelation medication. And no one ever knew. We kept it quiet so Menaal would never be referred to as 'bechari' (poor thing). She grew up the strongest, most confident and happy person you could ever hope to meet — beautiful inside and out, with a magnetic personality that left a lasting impression on every single person she ever met.
2023 — Canada
🧬 Two Matches — She Chose to Fight
When Canada's Children's Hospital asked about bone marrow transplants, protocols had changed. We got onto the register — and to our amazement, she got not one but two matches. Our beautiful headstrong Menaal decided she wanted to go ahead. On November 16, the transplant took place.
November 2023 – January 2024
🩺 10 Weeks of Courage
Just 3 days after the transplant, the first complication arose. Menaal fought for 10 long weeks against VOD, then TATMA and HLH — always cheating, never showing all symptoms. The last two, which came together (ultra rare), were just too much for our flower to overcome.
January 27, 2024 · 1:16 PM
🌺 She Returned Home
Menaal, our special flower of heaven, returned home — leaving her sweet fragrant memories with us to cherish forever. God knew you would only be here for 18 years, so he concentrated all that goodness into one perfect little package.
Menaal
Dec 30, 2005 — Jan 27, 2024
"Menaal, you were the strongest person that we will ever know. You were concentrated love. It has been an honour to have called you our daughter."
— Baba & Mama
"Until the day we can hold your perfect face in our hands once again Menaal, stay safe and in peace in heaven. My heart is broken forever!"
— Forever Yours
