Physical Health Lithuania Project #30129

Help Lithuanian Kids in their Battle with Cancer

by Mothers' Union

Help Lithuanian Kids in their Battle with Cancer

Project Report | Feb 12, 2021
Report 26

By Egle | Author

ZEMYNA

Zemyna

About the girl in the beautiful name of Zemyna.
We got to know Zemyna and her medical history when she was just a baby.
A rare eye malignancy (retinoblastoma) that struck a baby suddenly shook a quiet family life.
Zemyna parents then turned to the Mothers ’Union Foundation for help for their only daughter.
It has been a year since the greatest anxiety has been forgotten, as with the support of good people, Zemyna is being treated in the best pediatric clinics in Switzerland. The girl has already overcome 11 challenging trips to the doctor and is getting well today.
How Zemyna are doing today tells mother Ligita:
"We started the New Year on a trip to Switzerland. We have just returned from our twelfth trip. We have had three visits since November. We are already used to regular trips and sometimes I don't even manage to unload my suitcase when I have to go back. Unfortunately, many flights are canceled. We are experiencing more stress now, not mainly due to the child's illness, but due to the coronary virus, difficult travel conditions and various quarantine requirements in all countries. Lithuania is on the list of dangerous countries, so this time there were additional procedures In Switzerland, the fine for any breach of quarantine is 10,000 francs, so it is advisable to read the laws carefully and follow all their requirements.
Zemyna is growing by hours, not by days, I haven't even noticed how quickly a little cell turned into a small "madam", as the hospital staff calls it. She celebrated her second birthday before Christmas and already speaks a lot of words, it enthusiastically tells how she flies a plane, rides a train. Unsurprisingly, the girl is waiting for these trips (here I am just tired, usually traveling half a day with various transfers ). And during these last visits, after the examinations, the professor always met us with the words: "I am very happy, very ...". He is pleased with the results of Zemyna healing, from the beginning of the summer, when the tumors finally "died", so far there are no signs of recurrence, no new relapses, and no treatment has been needed for the last two times. These tumors have not disappeared, are still in the eye, but are currently inactive, only to the extent that they interfere with vision because they are in the centers of the eye. Nevertheless, left-eye vision has already improved, in recent months: from 20% to 31%, only the right eye still remains at 3%, but we are also very happy about that. The professor asked to prolong the coverage of the left eye, to keep for 3 hours or 2 hours. in the morning, 2 p.m. in the evening, but we are having a hard time. The little madam started showing her goats and doesn’t always go in good shape to apply a better seeing eye, and after applying, she always waits for the right moment to tear the patch on herself without me noticing. Therefore, we are tired and angry at this thing, but there is no other way to improve vision at the moment.
It has been a year since we were treated in Swiss clinics. The professor believes that for at least another year, it will be necessary to inspect Zemyna every month in the operating room under anesthesia, because it is very important to notice the changes in time and apply treatment. Children grow fast, cells divide very quickly, so there remains a high chance of new relapses. But if the situation remains stable during these coming years, there will be no renewals, it will be possible to consider further monitoring in Lithuania. Therefore, we start the New Year in a good mood and hope that we are halfway there, and if there are pits on the way further, we will get out because we are in good hands, I trust the Swiss professional team of doctors and I am very grateful to them for the results already achieved. "
We truly thank all the benefactors who have supported and supported the treatment of children and trips to clinics in Switzerland.

ADRIJUS

Adrijus

When I first entered the Adrijaus ward, I was first looking for a child through my eyes. The gaze stuck behind the crib caused a bit of surprise. There seemed to be nothing in the crib, just a few diapers and a baby blanket.
He was so tiny and fragile that all the items in the ward looked huge. It was hard to believe that he was a boy of several months, strongly attached to life and not going to give up.
Today, looking at Adrijus, my thoughts keep returning to the astonishing first acquaintance and the rising joy of each of his successes.
The boy is getting stronger and stronger every day, but he is still struggling with him, who was just born, had retinoblastoma (a malignant tumor of the eye) and has already made 16 trips and visits to doctors in clinics in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Adrijaus mother Deimante shares her experiences and thoughts from the last trip:
"This is the 16th time we are returning from Switzerland, where Adrijaus fight against malignant eye cancer is still going on. I don't know how long this fight will last, these trips. The fact is that as long as it takes - we will travel and continue treatment.
This time, the doctor said that now the tumor appeared in the left eye, the one that was completely healthy, but the professor advised not to worry, he said, the tumor is very small - it was immediately removed by a laser. The right eye and, remains stable without tumors.
Lithuania is currently on the list of countries at risk, so we did not know when it would be the turn of Adrijaus inspection. I had to wait a long time. Adrius looks at the backpack and says:
- No, no.
And food before anesthesia is not possible.
Well, and in summary - the journey is smooth, everything is as usual. Another trip in February. ”

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