The feeling of anticipating a new life is truly unparalleled. For me, the moment Marcel arrived was filled with joy, hope, and love. My pregnancy had gone smoothly, and I looked forward to the birth of my son with great excitement. His older sisters were also eager to meet their little brother, and we envisioned a life filled with laughter, family moments, and the simple joys of childhood. Marcel’s birth appeared perfect—he received an excellent Apgar score, and for a fleeting moment, everything felt right. Even in my darkest thoughts, I could never have foreseen the challenges that awaited us.
Just two days after his birth, our lives changed dramatically. Doctors discovered that Marcel lacked a sucking reflex, a crucial indicator that something was amiss. He was swiftly transferred to another hospital’s pregnancy pathology department, despite my recent cesarean section. I hurried to be by his side, unwilling to leave him alone. However, the difficulties were just beginning. By the fifth day of his life, Marcel’s condition deteriorated significantly. He was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he contracted staphylococcus and subsequently developed sepsis. For ten days, he was on a ventilator, fighting for every breath. Alongside these terrifying complications, he began to experience epileptic seizures. Each moment was filled with fear, uncertainty, and helplessness as I watched my newborn endure pain and struggle for survival.
Doctors performed numerous tests to uncover the cause of Marcel’s condition, but answers remained elusive. Ultimately, genetic testing was necessary—a process that would take months. On December 17th, we were transferred to a hospital in Łódź after the doctors in Lublin had exhausted their options. On January 12th, Marcel was readmitted to the ICU following an unsuccessful attempt to increase his milk supply. He began choking and vomiting, necessitating emergency resuscitation. These repeated crises left us emotionally and physically drained, yet we held onto hope, knowing that Marcel was a fighter.
When the genetic test results finally arrived, they confirmed our worst fears. Marcel suffers from an extremely rare neurological condition that severely impacts his ability to breathe, feed, and develop normally. He cannot breathe independently and has a tracheostomy tube in place; soon, he will need a PEG tube for feeding. Despite intensive treatment, his epileptic seizures continue. Doctors have started preparing for home hospice care, and the prognosis remains bleak. Marcel has not spent a single day at home since his birth, and every milestone has been a struggle for survival rather than a celebration of childhood.
This situation is unprecedented, frightening, and overwhelming. Each day brings new uncertainties, and every moment serves as a reminder of life’s fragility. As a parent, the urge to protect and care for Marcel is relentless. I want to fight for his life, his health, and the chance for him to experience even the smallest joys of childhood. However, I cannot do it alone. Marcel’s care requires ongoing diagnosis, specialized treatment, intensive rehabilitation, and constant medical supervision—all of which come with enormous costs that our family cannot bear alone.
I have never sought help before, but this is for Marcel. Every donation, every word of encouragement, and every act of kindness will directly support his care, providing him with the medical interventions, therapies, and attention he desperately needs. With your assistance, we can ensure that Marcel receives the best possible chance to survive, grow, and experience life despite the challenges he faces.
Marcel is a fighter, demonstrating extraordinary strength from the very start. Despite his young age, he endures procedures, seizures, and the daily challenges of his condition with resilience beyond comprehension. Every small improvement—a calmer night, a moment of interaction, a response to a toy—is a victory that reminds us why this fight is essential.
We ask for your support to help Marcel continue this battle. Your contribution is more than just financial assistance; it represents hope, courage, and a lifeline for a child who deserves every opportunity to live, feel love, and experience life in any way possible. Without help, providing the care he needs becomes unfeasible. With your generosity, Marcel can receive the treatments, therapies, and supervision that give him a fighting chance each day.
Marcel’s journey is one of immense courage and resilience. It also serves as a reminder of the power of community, compassion, and the difference that support from caring individuals can make. Please help us fight for our son’s life. Help Marcel face each day with the strength, care, and opportunities he so desperately deserves.
