Karina is fighting stage IV neuroblastoma❗ Help before it's too late❗.

From shadow of suspicion to certainty

February brought the first signals that could hardly be considered alarming. Fever - ordinary, as it is in children. The doctor saw nothing alarming. He prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, reassured. Karina returned home.
Improvement, however, did not follow. Two weeks later, the temperature rose again, such a condition persisted for 3 days, and blue circles appeared under the girl's eyes. Apathy and lack of energy was no longer the picture of a child struggling with an ordinary infection.

Subsequent consultations resulted in further diagnostics. Basic blood tests were ordered. Karina, with suspected otitis, was referred to a hospital in Koszalin.

Disease revealed by imaging

In early March, an ultrasound of the head was performed. The examination showed nothing of concern - the image was clear, seemingly reassuring. However, the next day a CT scan interrupted this temporary relief. Among patches of light and shadow, a lesion became apparent that was impossible to ignore.

The decision to transport Karina to a hospital in Szczecin was made immediately. There, further diagnostics were started. MRI and subsequent imaging studies confirmed the worst-case scenario. Neuroblastoma of the left adrenal gland with metastases. The diagnosis left no illusions. In such a short time, the lesions had managed to spread.

Chemistry right away

From the moment of diagnosis to the start of treatment was literally a moment. There was no time to hesitate. Including chemotherapy in the treatment protocol, was the only right way to try to stop the progression of the disease. Karina had already undergone four cycles. Each one weakened the body, but carried with it a shadow of hope that the therapy was having an effect.

Recent tests gave the first, cautious breath of relief: the bone marrow lesions had resolved. The body has responded. However, this is just the beginning.

Treatment continues. More imaging tests are scheduled in the near future to assess whether surgical removal of the tumor will be possible. However, everything depends on how the girl endures the further stages of treatment and whether her body will be able to maintain the response it has just begun to give.

Don't let concern for tomorrow overshadow the fight for today

Now, when all energies are focused on treatment and each day is marked by the rhythm of hospital procedures, the mundane - finances, logistics, daily life - can overwhelm even more. That's why relief is so important. Relief that gives you the space to think about only one thing: Karina's health.

Any support - even the smallest - is a gesture that realistically protects this family from the fear of tomorrow. Let's help them get through this time. May they also not lack strength where doctors' hands do not reach.