When Marcelek entered the world, everything seemed ideal. He was vibrant, healthy, and the youngest of three boys, cherished by his siblings Filip and Maciuś. Their household was alive with laughter and the delightful chaos of childhood.
“We believed our family was whole, joyful, and secure,” his mother recalls softly. “But that feeling of security vanished in a heartbeat.”
When the Concern Started
Initially, everything appeared normal. However, as weeks turned into months, subtle signs began to surface—small indicators that parents might overlook without their instincts.
“We observed that Marcel wasn’t growing like his brothers had,” his father shares. “He wasn’t gaining height or weight, regardless of our efforts.”
Doctors first reassured them that it was nothing serious. They recommended dietary adjustments, formula supplements, and regular checkups. The parents diligently followed every suggestion, hoping for progress.
Although Marcel began to gain some weight, he still didn’t grow taller. Then, a new alarming symptom appeared—he stopped sleeping.
“He would nap for ten, maybe fifteen minutes, then wake up,” his mother explains. “Sometimes he wouldn’t sleep at all. It was heartbreaking to see him so tired, and we didn’t understand why.”
The Diagnosis That Altered Everything
Blood tests indicated that Marcel’s blood was unusually thick. Doctors advised the family to increase his fluid intake and return for another checkup. However, at the next appointment, there was no improvement. His growth had completely stalled—and his head circumference wasn’t increasing, a concerning sign that something more serious was amiss.
Taking matters into their own hands, his parents arranged for hormonal tests privately. When the results arrived, their pediatrician promptly ordered an ultrasound.
“I’ll never forget her expression,” his mother recalls. “She looked at the results and said we needed to go to the hospital immediately.”
An ultrasound and MRI scan confirmed their worst fears—a large tumor on Marcel’s right adrenal gland. Within hours, they found themselves in the oncology ward.
“It felt like our entire world crumbled,” his father says quietly. “One day we had a healthy child; the next day, we were fighting for his life.”
A Delicate Heart and a Risky Surgery
Further examinations revealed that the tumor had already impacted Marcel’s heart. His blood pressure was alarmingly high, and doctors discovered left ventricular hypertrophy—an enlarged heart muscle struggling to cope.
“They informed us that his heart was the reason he couldn’t sleep,” his mother explains. “He was simply too exhausted—too weak to rest.”
Due to the cardiac complications, doctors were initially hesitant to operate. “They warned us that his heart might not withstand the surgery,” she says.
However, waiting was not an option. The tumor was growing. After weeks of preparation and monitoring, in November, surgeons finally conducted the intricate procedure—removing the entire tumor along with Marcel’s right adrenal gland.
“When they told us the surgery was successful, I couldn’t stop crying,” she remembers. “It felt like we had been holding our breath for months.”
Living with Uncertainty
Although the surgery was a success, the family’s relief was short-lived. The doctors delivered devastating news—Marcel’s case had a near-100% chance of metastasis.
There is no chemotherapy plan, no long-term treatment protocol—only ongoing monitoring, checkups, and the persistent fear of cancer’s return.
“We live from one hospital visit to the next,” his father states. “Every scan, every test—we hold our breath, praying not to hear the word ‘tumor’ again.”
Currently, Marcel is extremely weak. Once able to crawl, he now struggles to move. “He can sit up on his own, but that’s all,” his mother says. “It’s as if the illness has taken all his strength.”
The emotional impact has reverberated through the family. His older brothers, Filip and Maciuś, find it hard to comprehend why their little brother can’t play anymore. They ask questions that no parent knows how to answer.
“They worry constantly,” their mother shares. “They’re afraid that the tumor will return—that it will take him away from them.”
A Call for Assistance
For the Tomaszewski family, each day is now a blend of gratitude and anxiety. Grateful that their son is still with them—fearful that they may lose him.
However, the financial burden of keeping Marcel safe is overwhelming. Frequent trips to hospitals, specialist appointments, additional testing, and rehabilitation have left the family financially exhausted.
“We’ve reached a point where we can’t manage it alone,” his father confesses. “We’ve sold what we could, but it’s not enough. The expenses keep rising.”
They never anticipated having to seek help from strangers. But now, it’s their only hope—to provide their son with a chance to live, to grow, and to laugh again with his brothers.
“If you’re reading this,” his mother pleads, “please—share our story, support us if you can. Even one złoty can make a difference.”
Hope Persists
Despite everything, Marcel’s parents refuse to lose hope. “He’s our sunshine,” his father says. “He still smiles at us. That smile gives us the strength to fight another day.”
The family understands that the journey ahead is long and uncertain, but they hold onto hope—that with love, medical care, and the kindness of others, Marcel will one day regain his strength.
💛 Help us fight for Marcelek’s future. Every donation, every share, every act of kindness brings this brave little boy one step closer to the life he deserves—a life filled not with hospitals and fear, but with laughter, growth, and love.
