URGENT! Brain tumour, father’s death, leukaemia… That’s enough tragedy—let’s save the little Michael’s life!

The life of every child should be carefree and full of love. I have lots of love for my son, but sorrows defeat everyone, including an adult… Michael is 6 years old. He has a leukaemia, and is fighting to blow a candle on his birthday cake the next year… That is not the only tragedy we are facing. A couple of months ago, my husband died from cancer… Michael lost his beloved dad. He suffered so much… I lost my husband, and now I am scared to lose my son as well—please help! 

Six years ago I would never, even in the worst nightmare, suspect what fate would bring us…We were a regular family, expecting our baby boy. When on 7 February 2016 our little happiness was born, we were overwhelmed with joy… Michael came to this world as a healthy baby, and it all seemed like a fairytale. Unfortunately, weeks later, that bliss turned into dust… 

Brain tumour—we heard that diagnosis after a series of tests and examinations, when Michael was barely 4 months old. That was a shock, despair, excruciating pain… We left the maternity ward, only to come back to a place which brings fear—oncology ward… Just as our little son found out about the beauty of life, he had to start fighting for it.  

I barely remember that period, so much has happened since then… Michael had to undergo a surgery to remove the tumour, and then a long-lasting chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the surgery was very risky, and it caused several complications… The worst was the left-sided hemiparesis, due to which, our son required a constant physical therapy. We practically came to live in the hospital. Michael bravely took 19 chemotherapy cycles. It seemed that the worst was behind us, and that everything was going in the right direction, and that we were about to start a normal life we desired… Our hopes for the best finally returned. Unfortunately, new problems appeared along the way. In 2018, we found out, that our family has a Li-Fraumeni syndrome. It’s rare, hereditary cancer syndrome. During an examination, we found out that there was a silent killer developing in my husband’s body. Just as Michael won this fight,  his beloved father started it… 

In 2019 my husband underwent the treatment of the first tumour. Another tumour attacked with an enhanced power only a year later. It was grade IV glioblastoma… One of the worst and most malignant types of brain tumours. It caused left-sided hemiparesis and didn’t leave much hope for a better future. 

With the beginning of each year, I wished for health for my husband and son. I wished they would stay alive. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen… A couple of months ago, Michael was diagnosed with acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia. One day I had to leave my husband at home and drive my son to the hospital. That’s when the tragic event happened… When we were at the hospital, my husband lost a battle with two cancers. It’s hard for me to even talk about it… I felt an unbearable pain and hopelessness, because instead of being together in his last moments, we were apart… He died on 1 July 2021. He was barely 47 years old. Now my son and I are on our own…

In September, Michael was diagnosed with the relapse of the disease. Currently, the treatment has been conducted against the standard procedures. We have a wonderful doctor, she’s literally our Angel… She does everything she can to help my little warrior. To save his life… Michael has been treated with non-conventional cancer therapy, which helps, but at the same time destroys his tiny organism. He’s also been administered the drug, which is non-reimbursed. The cost of a single box of the medication is enormous—almost 30 000 zlotys! And it lasts for only 56 days. I have no idea, for how long he will have to take it, although the doctors predict a 2 year-treatment.  

My son has been qualified for a bone marrow transplant. I hope this means starting a new life for him… After the surgery, we will need 4 ampoules of another, expensive drug… I am dying with fear, and wondering how am I going to pay for that.

Still, there is a long fight for life and health ahead of us… Nevertheless, I hope that everything is going to be all right, although my husband is no longer with us, and nothing will ever be the same… Michael is just 6 years old, and he’s already suffered so much. I will do everything to save him and give him a chance for a better tomorrow. Please help us! 

Kinga, Michael’s mom