Sylwia Karolkiewicz - main photo

A brain tumor took away my smile... Now I have a chance to get it back! Help Sylwia!

Fundraiser goal: Optic nerve transplant, facial nerve transplant

Sylwia Karolkiewicz, 45 years old
Tarnów Opolski, opolskie
Condition after brain tumor removal - left-sided facial paralysis
Starts on: 20 November 2023
Ends on: 28 February 2026
PLN 26,005(15.17%)
Still needed: PLN 145,468
DonateDonated by 527 people
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Phone number
75365
Text
0048611
Cost PLN 6.15 gross (including VAT)
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Fundraiser goal: Optic nerve transplant, facial nerve transplant

Sylwia Karolkiewicz, 45 years old
Tarnów Opolski, opolskie
Condition after brain tumor removal - left-sided facial paralysis
Starts on: 20 November 2023
Ends on: 28 February 2026

Fundraiser description

Thank you all for supporting my previous fundraiser! Your donations helped me pay for the first surgery. Now, I am halfway through my path to recovery. Only you can make another surgery possible! Please help me!

My story:
Can a smile be a reason to be sad? Can surviving cancer cause drama? Unfortunately, to me, they can. Although I am still alive, it is my face, not a large scar on my head, that won't let me forget the trauma I've been going through... For years, I've had only one wish  - to be able to smile like I used to.

My name is Sylvia and I am only 43 years old, but for most of my life, I cannot recognize myself in the mirror. My health issues began a long time ago. I was 16 when I experienced my first strong headache. I went deaf. After a while, everything came back to normal. Unfortunately, two years later, a tragedy happened…

I was 18 and full of life. That's when an unbearable headache came back. My girlfriends took me out of the classroom since I couldn't even walk. I was rushed to the hospital, where I heard a diagnosis that ruined my life... 

I had a brain tumor! I couldn't believe it and thought it was a mistake. 

During the first surgery, the doctors managed to remove the tumor only partially. It was the size of an egg and shifted from the left to the right brain hemisphere. I could die at any moment! A month later, I had almost the entire residual tumor removed. Unfortunately, this time, the surgery left me injured… 

When I woke up, I couldn't move. Half of my face was paralyzed... As it turned out, during surgery, my facial nerves were damaged. I was about to lose the ability to smile... At first, I couldn't speak or walk. I had to learn everything from the beginning. 

The side effects of the surgery made me cry every night and caused unbelievable pain. However, despite my emotional breakdown, I found the strength to fight for my health. I drove across the country to find a treatment solution. No one could help me, though. 

Finally, in 2019, one of the doctors I consulted at a German clinic in Munich told me I could be healed! Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks... The treatment was expensive. Fortunately, I managed to collect money for the first surgery, which took place on November 2 and involved nerve transfer from the shin to the cheek. 

I am still halfway through my journey to full recovery. Further procedures include a nerve transfer to the existing nerve to enable its recovery. Within six months, I could have my old face back! 

Unfortunately, I spent all my savings on previous surgeries. I need your support to continue the treatment! Happiness is at my fingertips - all I need are resources to reach for it! Please do not let the lack of funds stand in the way! 

Sylvia

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