A brain tumor has robbed Wiktor of his health! Every day is a struggle

Wiktor was only 7 years old when we found out he had a tumor in his head. I remember a fear that’s impossible to describe. And the hope that everything would start to return to normal after the surgery. Today we know that it’s very difficult, if not impossible. My little boy is alive thanks to medication and requires round-the-clock care, and every day I’m afraid the tumor will start to grow back.

The tumor had been with him from the start

First, we learned that Wiktor had a parasphenoidal tumor (a craniopharyngioma). Then the doctors told us that he might have had this tumor since he was in the womb. Suddenly, we realized that our child had been living with a condition we knew nothing about for years.

In mid-2023, Wiktor underwent surgery at the Children’s Health Center to partially remove a tumor. We waited outside the operating room, hoping that after the procedure we would begin to return to normal life. Unfortunately, the surgery, though necessary, changed Wiktor’s life forever.

A Stolen Childhood

Following the surgery, Wiktor has damage to his pituitary gland and hypothalamus. His optic nerves have also been affected. He has developed diabetes insipidus, adrenal insufficiency, vasopressin deficiency, and panhypopituitarism.

Behind these difficult terms lies our daily reality: medications, injections, blood sugar checks, and round-the-clock vigilance.

Wiktor takes medication every day—he can’t live without it. He also receives growth hormone because his condition has stopped his growth. Any stress, any infection, or even a simple cold can be very dangerous for him. A drop in blood sugar can be life-threatening.

We're constantly afraid that the tumor will grow back

Wiktor cannot undergo radiation therapy because the tumor is located too close to vital structures and nerves in the brain. If the tumor starts to grow back, the only option will be another very difficult surgery. We live from test to test, from consultation to consultation, and every result can bring either relief or more fear.

Most of our lives consist of trips to Warsaw and Olsztyn, hospital stays, checkups, and making sure the disease isn’t progressing again.

Even school isn't just a school anymore

Wiktor returned to school after a year-long break, but he can’t simply go to school like other children. He receives one-on-one instruction and must be under constant supervision. No school was willing to accept him without additional care. The risk is too great: medication, the possibility of a sudden deterioration in his health, and even a life-threatening situation. On top of that, Viktor is still missing part of his frontal bone, which is expected to take up to five years to fuse after the surgery.

We want Witkor to get at least some of his childhood back

Wiktor has two sisters: 9-year-old Lena and 6-year-old Laura. They, too, live in the shadow of their brother’s illness. They see our trips, our fear, our exhaustion, and how much everything has changed since the diagnosis. And Wiktor? Despite everything, he’s still just a child. He enjoys horseback riding and spending time with animals.

We really want him to have more to his life than just his illness. We want him to be able to feel joy.

Please support me

We need funds for medication, glucose monitors, physical therapy, consultations, tests, transportation, and daily medical expenses. Glucose monitors are especially important for Wiktor because they help quickly detect a drop in blood sugar, which can lead to adrenal crisis. Unfortunately, they are not covered by insurance for children with adrenal insufficiency.

Every day of Wiktor’s life requires vigilance, care, and life-saving treatment. Please help.

Our son lives with a condition that we can’t put off even for a moment. We’re asking for your help so that we can provide him with safety, treatment, and at least a little bit of a childhood.