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Hello! I would like to share my story with you…
Hi, my name is Marika and I am 29 years old. Today, from the bottom of my heart, I am asking for your help in the hardest battle of my life – the fight for my health and my future.
Not long ago, I was living a normal life. Today, I am facing a rare and aggressive cancer and the prospect of extensive facial reconstructive surgery. I cannot get through this journey without support.
I am facing major facial reconstruction surgery, which is why I am making such a heartfelt appeal for help The costs involved are enormous – travel, treatment, and the surgery itself.
A diagnosis that changed everything
My difficult journey began with nosebleeds and persistent pain in my palate. At first, it was treated as sinusitis. I went from doctor to doctor, and for a long time I was treated for sinus infections. Course after course of antibiotics brought no improvement. Only private diagnostic tests (CT scans, biopsy, ENT consultations) finally led to a diagnosis.
Malignant cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses – sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC).
This is an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer – it affects only around 1 in 100,000 patients diagnosed each year with head and neck cancers.
In my case, it is squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, which has developed within the sinuses and palate. Its location causes immense suffering every single day. Additionally, in this type of cancer, the HPV virus marker is rarely present – p16 expression occurs in only around 12.7% of patients, which significantly reduces the chances of a milder course of disease and effective treatment. Unfortunately, my case is one of the more difficult ones.
Treatment has only just begun
I have already undergone three rounds of chemotherapy.
Sadly, this is only the beginning of the most difficult part of the journey.
Following further oncology consultations, doctors have decided that the most intensive stage of treatment still lies ahead – radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. This treatment will be extremely demanding on my body and carries many possible complications. The therapy is scheduled to begin on 12 January.
In search of the best possible treatment options, we also attended private consultations at Chelsea & Royal Marsden Hospital in London, one of the world’s most renowned surgical and oncology centres. There, it was confirmed that removal of my nose and upper jaw will be necessary, followed by further multi-stage oncology treatment and facial reconstruction.
What does my daily life look like?
The disease is progressing – I currently function only with strong painkillers, including morphine.
I often lose my voice and communicate using gestures, as making any sound causes severe pain.
I am unable to eat normally – every meal is agony.
I am now being fed through a tube directly into my stomach.
On 29 September, I began chemotherapy. Before that, I underwent kidney function tests using a radioactive tracer to determine a safe dosage.
I already have an implanted port for administering medication – the procedure was painful, but necessary.
I have completed three chemotherapy sessions and further oncology treatment awaits me – chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy.
What am I raising funds for?
The funds raised will be used for:
Private medical consultations and exploring alternative treatment options
Travel to specialist centres in Poland and abroad
Facial reconstruction surgery – we are currently searching for a private clinic willing to undertake the operation and reconstruction
Rehabilitation and pain management
❤️ I have just one dream
This illness has taken my health, my independence and my sense of normality – but it has not taken away my hope.
I want to live.
I want to return to the people I love.
I want to speak, laugh and eat without pain again.
Every donation, no matter how small, and every share of this fundraiser gives me a real chance at a future.
This illness has taken my health, strength and normal life, but it has not taken my hope. I want to live. I want to return to work and to the people I love. I want to be able to laugh, speak and eat without pain. I fight every single day – for my life, for myself, for my future.
Every bit of help – even the smallest – means the world to me.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone willing to help and support me.
❤️ Marika
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