Neuroblastoma! Please help our 3-year-old daughter get well again!

Symptoms resembling an infection

When spring came, we noticed that something had changed. Our daughter Rozalia began to feel worse and worse. She was tired more often, had no appetite, and didn’t feel like playing. She complained of a headache. Rozalia stopped walking because she had severe pain in her legs. In addition, she developed a sensitivity to light, and loud noises bothered her.

When we went to the doctor, our daughter developed a fever. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic for a throat infection. We waited for her to feel better. However, instead of getting better, she got worse with each passing day. A fear that cannot be put into words took hold of our home.

A diagnosis that is hard to accept

In early May, another round of tests began. We waited for the results for several days, trying to convince ourselves that it was nothing serious and that everything would be all right. However, on May 7, the doctors detected some concerning changes in Rozalia’s tummy.

She was immediately transported to the hematology ward in Szczecin. There, we heard the diagnosis that turned our world upside down. Neuroblastoma.

A home away from home

Since then, our family’s life has changed dramatically. The hospital has become our second home, and our daily routine is dictated by test results and one medical procedure after another.

My daughter has now completed her fifth round of chemotherapy. She has an extremely difficult journey ahead of her: surgery to remove the tumor, an autologous bone marrow transplant, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. We’re also doing everything we can to get her enrolled in clinical trials that might give her another chance.

An additional challenge that my daughter also has to deal with is anemia.

Family

Right now, my daughter and I are staying in the oncology ward. Rozalia’s dad tries every day to balance his work with taking care of our 6-year-old son, Filip, and his grandmother helps us with that.

Every day, Filip misses his sister—their conversations, laughter, and playtime together. Rozalia also dreams of going home again, hugging her brother, and forgetting about the hospital wards, if only for a moment.

Just a few months ago, Rozalia was a bundle of energy. She would dance to every tune she heard, laugh endlessly, love to dress up in her favorite dresses, and play with the animals.

We need help

Our little girl has an incredible will to fight. Although her illness robbed her of a carefree childhood, it did not rob her of hope. Every smile from Rozalia reminds us of what we’re fighting for.

We still have a long and costly road ahead of us. The treatment involves expenses that are beyond our means, which is why we are asking for your help with all our hearts.

Thank you for all your support and kind words.