Sylwia's Fight to Beat GBM

Dear Friends!

 

My name is Iga and I'm fundraising for my beautiful Mom, Sylwia, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme in February.

 

The news of her illness came unexpectedly and suddenly. Sylwia was taking care of her mother in Poland, when she suffered a fall on February 10, 2022. She cut her eyebrow and was taken to the ER. After reviewing her CT scans, the doctors found a mass in her brain. They ordered additional MRI testing that showed a large glioma in her right parietal lobe. It affected her ability to move her left arm and leg. Neurosurgeons suggested removal of the tumor as soon as possible.

 

We knew that we wanted to continue treatment in the U.S. with her family by her side and at one of the best hospitals in the country. So I flew to Poland to help my Mom with her hospital discharge and the long flight back home. Just to put things on a timeline: I was in Poland by February 15. Mom was discharged February 17. We flew to the U.S. February 18. She met her wonderful neurosurgeon, Dr. Amy Heimberger, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital February 21. Two days later, February 23, she underwent a successful craniotomy and was released home two days after that.

 

Since then Sylwia has been in treatment. The surgery further affected the use of her left arm and leg, as well as her short-term memory. She has been working hard to regain her independence at the Shirley Ryan Ability Center. Sylwia has been attending speech, OT and PT since March with some great results. As of today, she will continue her therapies at least through the end of June.

 

Once a pathology report was completed post-surgery, we found out with certainty that my Mom is battling GBM. The standard treatment included 6 weeks of radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy. She has completed that first cycle May 3. Right now we are awaiting another MRI on June 1 to check on the progress of her treatment. Afterwards we will continue with the 5/23 cycles of chemotherapy (5 days of increased dosage and 23 days off) for at least 6 months. Sylwia also qualifies for some clinical trials, including the Optune device. She will be making important decisions regarding her participation in them once we can discuss the new MRI results with her neuroncology team at NMH.

 

To help her battle GBM, my Mom has also seen a naturopath oncologist, who has prescribed various supplements. We have shared the list with her NO, who seems to be supportive of many of them.

 

My mom is a loving and caring person with a kind heart, who is always willing to lend a helping hand. She's been a beloved preschool and Polish language teacher for over 30 years. She's a wonderful mother, a great wife and a fantastic grandma. We will do everything we can to help her fight. And we would like to humbly ask you to help Sylwia fight to beat GBM, too.

 

We would like to raise funds to help with my Mom's treatment costs as well as daily life since she is currently out of work. Insurace deductibles and copays, prescriptions, supplements, therapies - all of these quickly add up. We know that her insurance may not fully cover participation in all clinical trials, but we are determined to not let those costs be an obstacle in my Mom's journey to wellness! She would do the same for any of her family members, friends and students as well. As long as there's a will, there's a way. And we all, especially my Mom, have so much will to keep on keeping on!

 

If you can, please support our fundraiser by donating or sharing. All thoughts, prayers and good vibes are also always welcome. We will be forever grateful for your help.

 

"The greatest good is what we do for one another." - Mother Teresa