He is only six years old and is fighting for his life. In March, doctors diagnosed Julia with a brain tumor, the most dangerous type of glioblastoma. Polish treatment options have run out. Treatment in London, which is not refunded by the National Health Fund, is an opportunity.
Julia’s disease began in a very ordinary way – with a headache that passed quickly but appeared more and more often. The girl’s parents wanted to see what was going on and if everything was okay. Julia was referred to an ophthalmologist and ENT specialist, and when the pain stopped, the neurologist sent us for a CT scan and MRI. It was the first time they heard that their child had a brain tumor.
Only a few days had passed since the diagnosis, and Julka was already getting ready for surgery. On March 31, the girl had a tumor removed at the Children’s Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw. Doctors did everything they could, but the tumor was located in such a way that only a part of it could be removed. It was the first and last time that my parents heard the words of encouragement. Because before the tumor was examined, the doctors assessed that there was a good chance that it was mild. A week later it turned out that it was a brain stem tumor DMG, glioblastoma in its most severe form, and that the prognosis was dire. Julka started chemotherapy, but after three cycles it turned out that the chemistry was not working, the tumor began to grow back. Radiotherapy was accelerated (June 7 – July 14).
After radiotherapy, Julka received another new chemotherapy, and the MRI showed that the tumor had shrunk a little. Julka’s parents waited for it, because only regression allowed them to look for new opportunities for rescue. A race against time has begun in search of the right treatment in Germany, Switzerland and the USA. They addressed a dozen or so centers, but were refused everywhere. The main reason was that Julia had previously taken chemotherapy that is considered ineffective in those clinics. Otherwise, it turned out that only children who had relapsed before could start treatment.
In early September, they received the results of molecular tests for the tumor from the Heidelberg laboratory. The research was supposed to help, and showed that Julka’s situation is extremely critical. Our daughter’s tumor has one of the worst possible mutations, which makes the course of the disease extremely aggressive. The worst assumptions have been confirmed. The chemistry will most likely not work, and the tumor will start to grow back in time. Then there will be no way to save our daughter. All that will be left is to sit down and wait for the worst, and we cannot allow that – we read on the website of the się Pomaga foundation.
A search for a treatment for this particular tumor mutation has begun. This is how Julka’s parents went to clinics in San Francisco and New York, and from there back to Europe. At Harley Street Clinic in London, only this clinic in Europe uses the CED method to treat cancer. The clinic called on Tuesday night. We got qualified for surgery!
During this procedure, doctors want to place 4 catheters in Julia’s head, which will direct the drugs directly to and around the tumor. Doctors will additionally use HDAC inhibitors that will block the aggressive mutation of the gene and weaken the strength with which the disease progresses. The therapy includes surgery and then, at 4-6 week intervals, 8 cycles of administering drugs directly to the tumor. Research shows that such therapy will stop the progression of the disease and will allow us to buy time for our child. This time is all we have now, because it gives us hope.
An idea for a comprehensive treatment of Julka may come up at any time, but we have to endure as long as possible. Last Thursday, the council decided that Julia could start this therapy. On Tuesday, we were informed that we were to come to the clinic on Thursday, and the operation could be performed on Sunday – but before the start we had to pay for the operation and the first treatment with drugs. This is our last and only chance to save our child, so please help. If we do not manage to get the funds and start treatment, there may never be a second chance. We are asking for your help in the fight for our child’s life, say the girl’s parents.
Information on how to help little Julia in the fight against glioblastoma – FIND HERE >>>
There is really little time! The collection lasts until October 1, 2017!