HELP FOR ANA – A MEDICINE TO FIGHT BONE MARROW CANCER
Since 2007 I’ve been suffering from thrombocythemia (a form of bone marrow cancer) and since then I’ve been under constant care of a hematologist. Even though two years ago I stopped being able to walk, nobody was able to tell me what was happening to me. I felt worse and worse, I called the ambulance several times because I was suffocating and could not catch my breath or could not walk. More and more often I would catch laryngitis or sinusitis. I took multiple antibiotics, but my immunity was negligible.
At first, doctors suspected overworking, then Lyme disease. After these were eliminated, I had multiple PETs, MRIs and CAT scans. I was admitted to the neurology department where I endured more scans and tests. Still, they could not diagnose me. Only after they repeated the punch biopsy in January 2018, the doctor finally diagnosed me with a very rare (for my age, 36) bone marrow cancer – myelofibrosis. Advanced stage. The diagnosis was 2 to 3 years. Unfortunately, this cancer is not curable. However, there are drugs that are very successful in controlling the progress of the disease. When my blood results are finally bad enough, there is an option of a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, in myelofibrosis patients it is treated as a last resort, given the high death risk.
Since 2018 I’ve been receiving shots of interferon alpha 2
A every other day. However, my body did not tolerate this and I then fell into a deep depression and had suicidal thoughts. Thanks to help from my friends and this foundation, I was able to get access to new shots of the same interferon but administered weekly. Initially I felt much better, it looked like I was going to be able to come back to some kind of a normal life; however, within the last three months my condition has gotten worse.
The results of a trans biopsy repeated in 2020 showed further progress of the disease. The symptoms of intolerance to the medication and the disease itself gradually reappeared – diarrhea, vomiting (problems with my body rejecting nutrients), anemia, light-headedness, lack of concentration and logical thinking, memory problems, burning of the eyes, vision problems, sensation of burning of the mouth, swollen tongue, dry and bloody mouth, severe pain of the abdomen, joints and bones, shivering, insomnia. In addition, my spleen keeps enlarging and keeps pressing on my stomach and moved my left kidney, which causes additional pain. I also have changes in my liver.
In this state I had to quit my job. I am receiving disability payments but they do not support a decent living. I am also a full time parent and a sole provider for my 11 year old son. So far, I have received 170 shots. My thighs and abdomen are full of punctures. Most days I have no strength to get out of bed, but I don’t give up, I can’t – I have a child. Every day I start my fight anew, amid the pain and exhaustion of the long term treatment.
In December 2019, after positive clinical trials, Germany & Austria approved a new kind of interferon 2b, a drug named Besremi. The shots are administered only once every two weeks. Clinical trials and patient experience prove that this drug has way fewer side effects. My dream is to don’t stop therapy with this new drug, especially that my doctors say it’s my last hope to avoid the extremely dangerous bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, this drug is not available in Poland and it’s not refunded by Polish healthcare system. I can purchase a single monthly shot for 2778 Euros. Unfortunately, I need constant therapy to be able to continue living.
This is an extreme amount of money but I believe with your help, at least for a few months, I can suffer less and live with dignity and be a mum to my son. I would be very grateful for any help you can give me. I believe that the good we give comes back to us doubled.
Hugs to you all. Anna Olszewska
You can help Anna by making payment on the account:
Fundacja Pomocy Dzieciom i Osobom Chorym Kawałek Nieba
PL31109028350000000121731374
swift code: WBKPPLPP
Santander Bank
Title: “1805 Help for Anna Olszewska”
or by DOTPAY:
