non-reimbursed OPTUNE therapy, medications, supplements, travel to treatment, visits to specialists, specialist diet

On December 15, 2024, our lives turned upside down. We were planning to go to a Christmas market together when a friend called. She said she was taking our 19-year-old daughter, Wiktoria, to the ER in Białystok. Wiktoria became dizzy, the left side of her face went numb, and she had trouble speaking. In the emergency room, the symptoms subsided, and doctors suspected inflammation of a salivary gland. However, computed tomography dispelled all doubts – a tumor measuring 29×31 mm was detected in the right frontal lobe.

Everything happened very quickly. Wiktoria was immediately admitted to neurology, and the next day the MRI confirmed the presence of a lesion measuring 31x30x28 mm, surrounded by a swelling up to 19 mm wide. The doctors left no illusions – We are dealing with a malignant brain tumor. We didn't want to believe it, we counted on a different diagnosis.

On December 19, 2024, Wiktoria underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Fortunately, there were no neurological complications - our daughter was fully functional and quickly recovered. We hoped that the worst was behind us. On January 3, 2025, we received a devastating diagnosis – glioma. No words can describe what we felt then.

Currently, Wiktoria is undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Her body reacts to the treatment in different ways – some days are exceptionally difficult, full of headaches, nausea and fatigue, which is why she sleeps all day. There are also times when she functions almost normally – she studies for her final exams, reads books, goes for walks. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy will last eight weeks, after which another MRI will be performed. The results will determine whether further chemotherapy will be necessary. And that is all we can count on in Poland.

We will not give up, because glioma must and can be fought. We are looking for other treatment options, and one of them is OPTUNE therapy (TTF – Tumor Treating Fields). This is an innovative method that uses an alternating electric field, inhibiting the multiplication of cancer cells and causing them to die.

Unfortunately, OPTUNE therapy is not reimbursed in Poland and its the monthly cost is approximately 120 thousand zlotys. The therapy lasts continuously for two years or more, which means that the total cost may reach up to 3 million zlotys. We are also considering other treatment options abroad, the costs of which are equally high.

In addition, there are expenses for visits to specialists, supplements, non-reimbursable drugs, travel, a diet that supports the body and psychological support for the whole family. All of this exceeds our financial capabilities.

That is why we turn to you – people with big hearts – for help. We cannot do it without your help.

Wiktoria has no intention of giving up. This year she plans to improve her high school exams in order to get into her dream medical school and become a pediatrician. Despite difficult days and weakness, she sits down to books and learns chemistry and biology. This goal gives her the strength to fight.

Her greatest passion has always been dancing. She has been dancing since she was five, taking part in competitions all over Poland and winning the highest trophies. We set up a gym for her in the basement of our house, where she trained with her friends until recently. She also taught dance classes for children. Unfortunately, she had to give up this passion for a while.

Wiktoria loves traveling and dreams of exploring the world and enjoying life just like her peers.

We are facing a powerful opponent who has an advantage over us from the start. But we believe that with your help we can win this fight.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your support. 💙

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