Milena’s Fight Against Ewing Sarcoma
I am writing these words while sitting next to my daughter’s hospital bed. I watch her fragile frame, her small chest rising and falling with every breath, and I still cannot believe that she is the one carrying such a heavy burden. In the midst of IV lines, sterile rooms, and the harsh smell of antiseptic, she still manages to smile. In her eyes, I see a strength and courage that many grown adults would struggle to find within themselves.
We have just finished Milena’s fourth cycle of intensive chemotherapy. Along with that, she has already endured 25 rounds of radiotherapy. Ahead of us still lie six more days of radiation and four additional cycles of chemotherapy. The treatments are long, exhausting, and brutal on her small body. Yet somehow, Milena remains resilient. Her doctors tell us that, for now, her results are stable. If future tests show no further progression, there is hope that her treatment could end in December, and that by February we might finally be able to return home. That hope is what keeps us moving forward every single day.
Cancer has stolen our sense of normalcy. It has taken away carefree days of play, laughter, and simple joys. But it has not taken away our hope. Every single scan, every sleepless night, every painful injection is a battle fought for one more day with our daughter. And as parents, we are determined to keep fighting alongside her.
The Diagnosis That Shattered Our World
Our nightmare began on October 12, 2023. That was the day our lives changed forever. I remember every detail—the look in the doctor’s eyes, the silence in the room before the words that broke our hearts:
But Milena’s story truly began weeks earlier. She had always been a joyful, energetic little girl, full of curiosity and eager to explore the world. She loved the outdoors, climbing, running, and playing. Like any child, she would sometimes complain of being tired or of small aches after a long, active day. It seemed harmless—until the pain in her leg started to become more persistent.
At first, we thought it was nothing. The tests we did showed nothing serious. The doctor assured us that Milena simply had tendon inflammation. We were relieved and trusted the diagnosis. We applied gels and ointments, tried physiotherapy, and hoped it would soon pass. But then a lump began to appear on her leg. At the time, I didn’t know it was a malignant tumor. Looking back now, I wish I had pushed harder for deeper examinations. Maybe we could have gained precious time.
By October, the tumor had grown to 10 centimeters, and Milena could barely walk. That was when doctors finally gave us the devastating diagnosis: not tendonitis, but cancer. From that moment, the fight for Milena’s life began.
A Year of Endless Treatment
Over the course of a year, Milena endured 14 cycles of chemotherapy. She underwent surgery to remove part of her fibula and surrounding soft tissue. For nine months, she lived in the hospital, hooked up to IVs, constantly battling infections and suffering from severe leukopenia.
The suffering she went through was unimaginable—nausea, weakness, hair loss, countless tears. And yet, our daughter showed bravery beyond her years. Through all of it, she fought with every ounce of strength in her little body. Finally, after so much pain and waiting, we heard the words we had been praying for:
The relief and joy were indescribable. Our whole family celebrated as if we had been given a new life. We dreamed again of a future where cancer was only a memory.
The Relapse
But in 2025, only eight months later, the nightmare returned. The tumor came back, in the exact same place. How could this happen so soon? Milena’s body had not even had time to recover from the previous treatments.
At first, we panicked. Then I threw myself into research. I read everything I could, contacted specialists, studied statistics, and reached out to cancer centers all over the world. The answer became clear: Israel had some of the best success rates for treating Ewing sarcoma. Without hesitation, we left everything behind and traveled to a clinic in Tel Aviv.
Now, Milena has started her first cycle of chemotherapy there. The doctors are doing everything they can to save her leg, but we are facing a devastating possibility: amputation may be the only way to save her life. We still do not know what the final decision will be, but the thought of it weighs heavily on us. Ahead lie seven more cycles of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
The Price of Life
Treatment in Israel offers us the best chance to save Milena. But it comes with an enormous cost—far beyond what we can afford. I never imagined that one day my daughter’s life would depend not only on doctors, but also on money. And yet, here we are.
This is why I am writing these words today. As a mother, I cannot give up. I cannot accept losing my child because of financial limits. I am asking you—from the bottom of my heart—for help. Every donation, every share, every kind word matters. Your support is not just money—it is hope. It is time. It is another day, another chance for Milena to grow up, to laugh, to dream.
Milena is not just a patient. She is a bright, loving little girl who deserves a future. She deserves to run, to go to school, to live without constant pain. She deserves a life outside of hospital walls.
Please, help us give her that chance.
