"I see my face starting to tremble." Belarusian Woman in Poland Diagnosed with Brain Tumor

Doctors scheduled an operation. The day before, Inga told Most, how her life suddenly changed and what treatment awaits her in the near future.

Inga has been living in Poland for almost six years now — she moved there with her son after the 2020 elections. The woman works as a legalization specialist and real estate agent. Currently, she is raising two children — a fourteen-year-old son and a five-month-old daughter.

On the evening of July 8, Inga returned home with her child after vaccination and felt unwell — her face began to tremble. The family called an ambulance, but her condition stabilized before the medics arrived.

— At first, I thought it was a stroke because I couldn't smile, — Inga recalls.

Doctors ruled out a stroke. However, the very next day the symptoms returned.

— I just see my face starting to tremble, — she says.

The woman's son confirmed that he also noticed it. Inga called an ambulance again. According to her, the medics arrived literally within minutes: "I immediately heard the sirens."

"Brain Tumor Found"

Doctors informed Inga that she needed to go to the hospital immediately for examination. Medical documents stated that the woman experienced speech impairment, drooping of the left corner of her mouth, weakness in her left arm, and facial muscle distortion on the left side.

Inga was taken to the emergency department, a catheter was inserted, necessary tests were performed, non-steroidal drugs were administered to stop the attack, and a brain MRI was conducted.

— The tomography results revealed that I have a brain tumor. What kind it is — doctors don't know yet, — says Inga.

In Spain, a mole grew and started bleeding within two weeks

Doctors deemed the tumor operable — it is located closer to the bone. After removal, a tissue sample will be sent for histological examination. Perhaps chemotherapy or immunotherapy will be needed afterward, Inga says.

The thing is, last year during a vacation in Spain, she noticed that a large mole suddenly grew on her within two weeks, which was bleeding and festering. It was removed in Barcelona.

Additionally, the woman underwent an MRI and an ultrasound examination of her lymph nodes. Spanish doctors insisted that she stay and undergo a full examination. At that time, all results were "clear" — Inga was allowed to return to Poland, but advised to register with an oncologist and create a mole map.

Now doctors do not rule out that the tumor could be a metastasis of the previously removed melanoma.

— The professor says that perhaps the mole and the brain tumor are somehow connected. But without histology, nothing can be said for sure, — Inga notes.

In addition to the brain MRI, the woman underwent a full body examination. No suspicious malignant formations were found. Doctors paid attention to the pancreas, but tumor markers were within normal limits.

"How to just live?"

Now the family finds itself in a difficult financial situation. The operation will be covered by medical insurance, but rehabilitation, consultations with professors (which the woman wants to undergo), and additional examinations could incur significant costs. Some procedures can only be obtained for free after a long wait in the NFZ insurance queue.

When the Belarusian woman will be able to return to work is unknown — everything will depend on the results of the operation. Her husband also cannot go to work because he is caring for their five-month-old child.

— How to just live? I don't know what will happen next — what the rehabilitation will be like and how to survive at all, — says Inga.

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