Zoja

"As parents, when you welcome a child into this world, you have one real expectation: that you will leave this world before your child, because that is how it's supposed to be," begin Joanna and Daniel, as they lovingly recount the past two and a half months with their brave daughter, Zoja.

Zoja's brain tumor symptoms began with her vomiting several times a day. Our GP initially diagnosed this as diarrhea and vomiting, or viral gastroenteritis. However, the symptoms continued, and Zoja wasn't getting any better despite numerous trips and phone calls to the GP.

Stressed by her condition, we decided to go to the pediatric hospital in Poznań (a city on the Warta River in western Poland). The following day, we were taken into a side room and told that Zoja had a lesion in her brain, most likely a tumor.

Zoja was transferred the same day to the neurosurgery ward at a different hospital, where we met two consultants who had scheduled Zoja for brain tumor surgery. The surgery took place on March 4, 2025, but unfortunately, surgeons were not able to remove the entire tumor due to its location in the brain.

Zoja has bravely completed another round of therapy and another blood transfusion. Every day, she shows us just how incredibly strong she is. We have lost count of the operations she's endured.

We are her unwavering pillars through all of this. Our constant presence, through every operation, every painful day, every small victory, is a testament to the kind of love that doesn't flinch in the face of hardship.

After her last chemotherapy, Zoja's results were very good, and the doctors decided to let us go home. After two and a half months, we finally returned home for a few precious days. 

July 2025: Update on Zoja's Journey

Zoja's family recently shared an update on her journey, expressing profound gratitude for the support they receive. Following six cycles of chemotherapy, her follow-up MRI showed that the primary tumor has shrunk, bringing a measure of relief and hope. However, a new lesion has appeared in her left frontal lobe. The nature of this lesion is currently unknown; while it may not be a metastasis, the family remains prepared for any possibility.

In the coming days, Zoja is scheduled to undergo a biopsy. Neurosurgeons will collect a sample to determine the exact nature of the lesion and guide future treatment decisions. Additionally, an abdominal CT scan is scheduled to assess how her liver and other organs have responded to chemotherapy and to check for any new metastases.

Despite the challenging days, drops in blood counts, and the need for transfusions, Zoja remains incredibly brave and continues to smile. Her strength and cheerful spirit amaze her family daily. 

Zoja is an incredibly joyful child, even amidst everything she has endured. She loves goofing around with her dad and reading fairy tales with her mom. Building with blocks is a favorite, but her absolute favorite toys are her medical ones: her feeding syringe, oxygen tubes, and face masks! Her family often laughs, saying she's definitely destined to be a nurse when she grows up.