Joy was replaced by fear and uncertainty
Eglė and her husband learned about their firstborn’s serious illness before they had a chance to enjoy parenthood.
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“During a routine check-up, the doctor noticed that our son had gained too little weight,” says Emetas’ mother Eglė Ilevičienė. “She suggested blood tests, although they are rarely done for babies of that age. The results were shocking – the white blood cell count was several times above normal. We rushed to Kaunas clinics, and from there we were referred to Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics.”
After thorough examinations, leukemia was diagnosed in the three-month-old baby. At that moment, the family’s life changed fundamentally – joy over the newborn son was replaced by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty.
Long months in hospitals and complicated treatment began. Initially, Emetas underwent chemotherapy, and at ten months old, a bone marrow transplant was performed.
“This June marked exactly one year since the transplant. Those years were some of the hardest in our lives,” says E. Ilevičienė.
The hardest part is waiting
During the two years of their son’s life, the family had to endure many painful trials.
“Our life resembled a roller coaster – endless pain and sleepless nights were replaced by hope and joy at even the slightest improvement in Emetas’ health.”
According to Eglė, the hardest was the wait before the bone marrow transplant and the first months after it.
“There were many severe side effects: the skin peeled, Emetas suffered great pain, stopped gaining weight, and completely lost his appetite. He had to be fed through a tube. He was so small that he couldn’t even say how he felt. It is incredibly hard to see your child suffer and understand that you cannot help him, not knowing how to ease his pain.
After the transplant, we spent another two months in the hospital. We returned home for only a week because complications forced us to rush back and spend another two months in the hospital. When a nearly one-year-old child weighs barely seven kilograms, your heart breaks from the pain. The uncertainty was also very heavy – we constantly lived in fear of the future.”
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It’s easier when you’re not alone in misfortune
Eglė says that in the hardest moments, faith that one day it would all end and their son could live a full childhood helped the most.
“Uncertainty was very heavy. We constantly wondered if a second bone marrow transplant would be needed. But hardships also bring important lessons. Over those two years, we became stronger, more patient, and the illness brought us even closer as a family,” the interviewee openly says.
When misfortune strikes, it is extremely important not to be alone. A serious illness affects not only the child – it changes the entire family’s life. Parents have to give up their usual daily routine, work, home for a long time, and most importantly – be by their child’s side every moment. In such situations, not only medical help but also human support becomes especially important. The opportunity to live together with the family near the hospital, receive emotional support, or simply know that you are not left alone with your experiences gives strength to endure the hardest stages of treatment.
It is precisely this kind of help that the support and charity foundation “Mamų unija” provides to children with oncological diseases and their relatives. “While Emetas and I lived in the hospital, my husband could stay for free in the nearby “Mamų unija” Family House. This meant we could be together. Later, when Emetas was discharged from the hospital, doctors still did not allow us to return to Kaunas – we had to stay close to Santaros Clinics. Then all three of us lived in the “Mamų unija” Family House. At that time, it was invaluable help.”
All the hardships are repaid by the son’s smile
On July 20, the boy who has endured much pain celebrates his second birthday. Emetas’ mother says the greatest gift to their family is good blood test results.
“We do tests every few months. We really hope that the hardest experiences are behind us, and now everything will only get better – our son will grow stronger, gain weight, and be able to enjoy childhood.
Today, Emetas does not complain about appetite, is not picky about food, and the greatest happiness for us is to see his wide smile. It repays all the experiences and difficulties we had to overcome.
This summer, for the first time, all of us will go on a trip together for a few days to rest around Lithuania – we plan to visit manors. In the fall, if health permits, Emetas will start attending kindergarten. Our biggest wish is very simple – for the family to finally return to a normal life, and for Emetas to enjoy a carefree childhood.”
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