What's wrong?

Mark's doctors couldn't diagnose it for almost 2 years. The disease turned out to be very rare and not yet fully researched. Currently, Marek has suffered a stroke and suffers from severe paresis of the left side of his body. Only rehabilitation can help him stop the disease.

First symptoms

My husband Mark's illness began to show symptoms in early 2020. However, at the time, it didn't occur to us that it would be something so dangerous and have such serious consequences.

Marek started complaining of pains. At first, the doctors thought it was pains from the spine. However, after six months, the first neurological symptoms appeared: a slight paresis on the left side and a drooping corner of the mouth. He also lost a lot of weight. Of course, we immediately rushed to the doctors, who performed a multitude of specialised examinations including CT scans and MRI scans. The whole time they were leaning towards a stroke, but the symptoms were inconclusive.

Doctors did not know what was wrong with him

It was only after almost two years of diagnosing and searching for causes that, in November 2021, a neurologist from the neurology clinic unequivocally diagnosed that it wasn’t a stroke, but most likely a rare disease known as Vasculitis. Vasculitis means systemic vascular inflammation. It can involve blood vessels located in different parts of the body. In Mark's case, there was cerebral vasculitis. It’s a rare disease, not fully researched. It hit us.

Doctors recommend rehabilitation

As a result of the stroke, Mark's dexterity has declined rapidly. Doctors recommend rehabilitation - this is the only thing that can help and stop the worsening symptoms. After rehabilitation, he’s able to lightly hold the leash of the dog he walks with. His current condition is such that he can dress himself - with problems, but on his own (e.g. he can't tie his shoes), he can cut a bread roll for himself, but not for example a tomato, because he can't hold it.

The costs of rehabilitation are beyond our means

Currently, my husband has speech therapy classes once a week (PLN 120), he undergoes biofeedback therapy (PLN 100), he has 1 hour of muscle exercises (PLN 100) and 1 visit to a physiotherapist (PLN 160). For 30 days he is provided with half an hour of rehabilitation every day from the National Health Fund, then it's over, the pool from the National Health Fund runs out and you cope on your own.

To sum up, the only things that can reverse the effects of the disease and stop it are rehabilitation, physiotherapy and biofeedback. If we wanted to do all the activities according to doctors' recommendations (doctors recommend physiotherapy every day), they would total PLN 1,440 per week. Which is PLN 5,760 per month. Marek was running his own business and so far we were doing well. Unfortunately, due to illness, 2 major clients terminated their B2B contracts, then due to deteriorating health, the business had to be closed. Earnings have dropped dramatically and rehabilitation costs are rising.

Mark before his illness

Please help with rehabilitation

Money is running out and without rehabilitation the disease won’t stop. What's more, without rehabilitation the condition will get worse and worse. That’s why I’m asking for help. I never expected such a situation. And I wasn’t prepared for it. We no longer have any savings. We would like Marek to get back to such fitness that he can function normally every day. This is possible, but after intensive rehabilitation.

I don't give up and I fight for my husband's health. But I can't do it alone. I believe that good comes back. I also believe in good people. Please help Mark to get back to health.

Monika, Mark's wife