Ewing's sarcoma has attacked her bones! My Lena is undergoing intense chemotherapy

My Lena is 13 years old and should be thinking about school, books, building blocks, and kittens—not about another round of chemotherapy, test results, and hospital stays. Since February, she has been undergoing treatment at the Mother and Child Institute in Warsaw, because her shoulder blade pain turned out to be a symptom of Ewing’s sarcoma that had metastasized to her bones.

The pain in my shoulder blade turned out to be the onset of the illness

In early December 2025, Lena began complaining of pain in her shoulder blade. Over the next few weeks, we searched for answers until, in mid-February, we received the diagnosis: Ewing’s sarcoma of the shoulder blade with bone metastases. A biopsy of the bone tumor on the shoulder blade was performed, and shortly thereafter, Lena had a central line inserted and underwent a bone marrow trepanobiopsy. Treatment began immediately.

The chemicals are really weakening Lena

Lena is participating in the iEuroEwing clinical trial. The plan calls for nine cycles of treatment before surgery: five cycles of VDC and four cycles of IE. This will be followed by surgery, another five cycles of chemotherapy, and most likely radiation therapy. So far, Lena has completed her fifth round of chemotherapy. She is having a hard time coping with the treatment. Her skin is peeling off in large patches from her hands and feet, she is vomiting, has trouble eating, and is very weak. She has lost about 5 kilograms. We still don’t know what will happen with the bone metastases.

We have more decisions ahead of us

In mid-April, Lena had stem cells harvested in case she needs high-dose chemotherapy. For now, we’re trying not to think about it, because her current treatment is already very taxing for her. Lena may need additional chemotherapy in pill form.

The hospital and home, home and the hospital

I spend most of my time with Lena at the hospital. We go for chemotherapy, evaluations, checkups, and whenever she has a relapse after treatment. My husband works, and I had to quit my job and drop out of nursing school halfway through my bachelor’s degree. Our younger daughter, who is ten, goes to school.

The biggest daily challenge is logistics: how to get there, who will stay home, who will help, and how to balance Lena’s treatment with the rest of the family’s life.

It’s also emotionally draining. Lena’s illness is taking a toll on the whole family, including me. Our younger daughter has withdrawn into herself, and we would really like to be able to be there for both girls the way they need us to be.

Please support me

Lena is 13 years old and is undergoing a very difficult treatment regimen. She still has surgery ahead of her, as well as more rounds of chemotherapy and further medical decisions. Please help Lena and us.