The Linz primary school student was diagnosed with blood cancer last year. Since then, painful therapies have dominated the girl’s daily life.
The ordeal of little Adelina (7) from Linz began in May 2021. “She started having infections all of a sudden – and at very short intervals. She had a fever for about three days, then no fever for two days and then again for a whole week. There were also unusual bruises on her back and toes – and her eyelids were very swollen,” says Mama Merselina, 32.
Severe anemia
The girl was then still in kindergarten. The pediatrician calmed the worried mother by saying that Adelina’s immune system was only a little fragile. But the condition of the then five-year-old did not improve. In July 2021, the doctor then had an ordination representation. When Merselina and her daughter visited this doctor, she was diagnosed with severe anemia. Blood was drawn from the child and test results were available on July 19.
Treatment in pediatric oncology
“The next day we had to go to the pediatric oncology department at Kepler University Hospital,” says Merselina. The devastating diagnosis: blood cancer. “At first we didn’t know what kind of leukemia she had. Further investigation revealed that Adelina suffered from type AML – an acute, aggressive form.”
thrombosis formed
A Hickman catheter (double plastic tube for drug delivery) was implanted above the child’s chest and the first high-dose chemo block began on July 29, 2021. The side effects – severe vomiting and massive rash all over the body – were more than unpleasant for the little one patient. After the third block, Adelina could no longer open her eyes due to a very painful sensitivity to light and great pressure due to a sinus vein thrombosis.
Very attached to life
“She often cried in pain and slept a lot.” The little one’s hair, eyelashes and eyebrows also fell out. But Adelina is very attached to life. “I don’t want to die, I want to stay with you,” the girl explained to her mother and persevered boldly. It describes the cancer as bad cells, the therapy calls it the ‘chemo clown’.
Grandma took care of sister
Mother and daughter spent the time between July 19 and September 15 in the hospital. They were only allowed to go home for two days before returning. “In the meantime, grandma and aunt had to take care of Adelina’s three-year-old sister Dalia,” says the single mother, who took leave as a cashier at a supermarket. The financial situation is now very tense.
Christmas at home
The intensive therapy ended in January of this year and maintenance therapy has been running since then so that the bad cells do not return. “We shudder at every examination.” The small family can celebrate Christmas at home this year. Adelina’s wishes: an elf team doll and a Barbie picnic house.
donation account
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Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
