❗Milenka is fighting acute leukemia❗ Every breath today is a gift.

The beginning was quiet...

Elevated temperature, remaining on the verge of a subfebrile state. Leg pains, abdominal pains and headaches. Milenka spoke more and more often of fatigue, and participated more and more quietly in daily life.
In principle, one might think that the symptoms are typically infectious, but when they last too long, a legitimate concern and need for a response arises. Milenka's parents did not wait. Initially, the doctor ordered symptomatic treatment, but improvement was not forthcoming. A blood count performed raised the suspicion of mononucleosis. Another one - ordered for certainty with a manual smear - revealed what had been hiding under the surface until then - the presence of blasts, cancer cells. With leukemia suspected, the family was taken to the Upper Silesian Children's Health Center in Katowice.

The diagnosis has turned their world upside down

A bone marrow biopsy confirmed the suspicion: B-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia. From that moment on, the world of Milenka and her loved ones was subordinated to the rhythm of treatment. Chemotherapy and steroid therapy were started.

The hospital - a foreign and cold place - suddenly became a daily occurrence. Milenka was only six years old at the time. Waiting for her at home were her twin sister Victoria and two older brothers, Simon and Blazej. It had been five months since she began treatment, on February 13. Almost all of them, Milenka spent within the walls of the hospital. Days at home, can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Lung fungus stopped treatment

During the course of treatment, a serious complication developed in the form of fungal pneumonia. The diagnosis, dramatic in its severity, immediately interrupted the planned treatment rhythm.

For two months , chemotherapy had to be halted because Milenka's body was too weakened to bear its weight. Only now, after weeks of anxiety, the therapy has been resumed - with caution and vigilance accompanying each day.
The girl is still in the hospital ward. Her further treatment will be decided by the results of the CT scan, which will indicate the direction in which the fight for health will go.

Home must become a safe haven

After such a severe course of the disease and complications, the place to which Milenka will return is of great importance. Every detail of the environment now becomes part of the therapy. Air purifiers, a new bed, sterility measures are needed - anything that will assist the body in its slow recovery.
The family lives torn between home and the hospital room. Mom doesn't leave Milenka even for a step. Dad - works and takes care of the three remaining siblings. Their daily life is logistics, anxiety and constant readiness.