! DRAMA - Neuroblastoma recurrence! Agata is fighting for life again!

Cancer has returned and spread throughout her whole body.  

Agata must continue the exhausting battle for life, although she doesn't know why. Why does she have to go back and forth between home and hospital, get anesthetized for examination, or receive painful drug infusions? 

We are there for her, support her, and assure her that it will end soon and that she will recover. Deep inside, we ask ourselves the same questions, though. 

Currently, we are staying in Barcelona, where Agata is undergoing treatment. 

This time, the metastases have been detected early, during a routine checkup done once every three months, so there is a chance of taking control of it. 

Cancer was detected for the first time during a routine checkup in January 2022 when Agata was two years old. A large tumor in the abdomen turned out to be neuroblastoma, the most common cancer in children. 

According to the Polish surgeons, the tumor was inoperable, so

Agata underwent six cycles of chemotherapy that unfortunately failed.

Thankfully, we found a clinic in Barcelona that treats neuroblastoma, and Agata had her first surgery there. The doctors removed most of the tumor. All that was left was a residual mass. 

According to further test results, it was harmless. The lack of metastases and N-myc gene amplification were promising. 

The following months showed otherwise, though. 

Residual cancer continued to grow in the  spinal cord area, which was most inconvenient since it caused nerve pressure and pain. Agata underwent another three complex surgeries within several months. The doctors kept the residual tumor mass in the vertebral column to prevent neurological disorders.  

Last December, Agata was supposed to undergo additional treatment, including radiation therapy and immunotherapy. A week before something unexpected happened. According to biopsy results, the residual mass transformed into a benign tumor called ganglioneuroma, which should not develop or spread. As a result, further treatment wasn't necessary. We were overjoyed! Agata started to feel better, and the nerve pain became milder. It seemed like we defeated cancer! 

In April, we had one last checkup before going back home. Its result made us go weak at the knees... Cancer was back and spread to the skull, spine, and bones of the lower limbs. We were shocked since Agata seemed healthy and enjoyed her childhood! She couldn't wait to return to Poland just like we had promised. It was difficult for us to explain to her that there was long-term treatment ahead of her again... 

After examination, the doctors decided to implement immunotherapy using a modern drug.

In the last couple of years, it has been shown to fight bone metastases, so the chances for Agata's full recovery are high. 

The drug is available only in a few countries, including Barcelona. 

The money obtained from the previous fundraiser let us cover the cost of four surgeries, multiple follow-up examinations, and two cycles of immunotherapy. Due to a 7-cycle treatment plan, we need funds for the remaining five cycles. The bad news is that the cost of the drug has risen dramatically at the beginning of the year.

We must ask you for support yet again. We believe that immunotherapy will save our daughter! We would appreciate every little donation and share.

Agata has only one dream. Every night before going to sleep, she prays to God for recovery and life without pain... 

We are begging you - help her make it come true!