Daniel Rzepka

I’m helping to raise £25.000 for the treatment of my brother’s wife and child who are both seriously ill in Poland.

They are not privileged to have the NHS to take care of them and need help to get through this very difficult and emotional time.

Barbara’s story

A very warm welcome,

My name is Barbara and a few days ago I became a mother for the third time

I was 24 weeks pregnant and joyfully waiting for Szczepanek to join our family when I started getting severe abdominal pain which was accompanied by diarrhoea and dehydration. I was admitted to hospital and put on a drip to re-hydrate but no cause was found so I was sent home. My problem was not solved and I spent the next month in and out of four different hospitals with the same symptoms but no diagnosis. I was afraid for my son’s life not knowing what my illness was doing to him. I was missing my husband and two children but the cost of them visiting me has exhausted our budget as a round trip to visit me is 120km. My husband was forced to work less and less as a professional driver because he had to take care of the children at home. Their grandma helped as much as possible but it has also been hard for her.

After this hospital marathon I was finally diagnosed with Fulminant (severe inflammatory) Ulcerative Colitis. I was told it was life threatening to me and my unborn son. I had to make a quick decision on whether to have medication or an operation of the intestine.

I went into labour on the 24th September and Szczepanek was born at 28 weeks. They could not give steroids to help the development of his lungs due to my health but thankfully he has survived and is being treated in an incubator and is fighting for a better tomorrow.

My treatment has temporarily stopped and my Ulcerative Colitis is now symptomatic which is giving me the chance to lactate so I can feed my baby. Colostrum in Poland is classed as a medicine and is very important to help Szcepanek in his early life. I will soon have to resume treatment and will not be able to lactate.

My daughter is 3 years old and my son is 1.5 and the psychologists have recommended that they see me as often as possible to avoid them being affected by me being away from them.

Szczepanek will spend another two months or more in hospital in the incubator and my treatment will require yet another stay in hospital after this current one.

I am asking and reaching out for help. Our future as a family is uncertain and we have huge needs:

- Daily travel costs to Przysietnica-Rzeszow hospital.

- Costs of car repairs, a leak from the sump has already appeared

- The cost of healthy food for my diagnosis

- Costs of diapers, tissues, creams for the children’s care, hygiene items

- Food for the family

- Strong breast pump to start lactation

- Cost of visits from my doctors, husband and children

- Cost of medication

- Clothing and accessories for premature babies, breathing monitor, scales, bottles and containers

- Bills and fees.