Hello, good people!

In 2022, our world collapsed. They discovered an education in my husband's abdominal cavity and since then our lives have become a series of hospital corridors, hours of worry and sleepless nights. We went to Tokuda Hospital in Sofia where they did a colonoscopy and gastroscopy and found that the tumor was not in the colon, but outside of it. On 26 October, an emergency laparoscopic operation followed as the tumour had already spread to the kidney. The doctors were only able to remove the tumor and preserve the kidney. They also inserted stents. We were grateful, but the fatigue and fear stayed with us.

After about two months of recovery, we went to Panagyurishte where he was given 21 radiation treatments. We had hope, strength and faith that things would get better. But a year later, the growth reappeared. The chemotherapies began. The first targeted therapy lasted four months. We were hopeful, but the MRI showed progress. The treatment was changed, there was new hope, but after another four months the result was the same - progress. A third therapy followed, but the tumor continued to grow.

We asked if a new operation was possible. The first surgeon referred us to the doctor who performed the first intervention. He refused a second intervention. The tumor had already grown, covered part of the colon and kidney, was close to nerves and multiple blood vessels. In Bulgaria we were told that such an operation could not be performed.

We did not give up. We looked for a chance abroad and contacted clinics in France. We went for an examination in the hope that we would get a positive answer. Initially we were told they would try, but they subsequently gave up. The operation was too risky. They recommended a therapy that could shrink the tumour, but this drug is not used and not covered by the Health Insurance Fund in Bulgaria. We tried to secure it through the hospital in Panagyurishte for a fee, but what only happened was they delayed us for 3 months without being able to provide it.

Then we turned to Professor Nicholas Vassos from the Sarcoma Association. We had an online meeting which gave us some hope again. The drug could be provided and administered in Greece. We started the treatment there with all our strength and expectations. But after two treatments my husband's body failed to respond in the desired way, the tumor receptors did not respond and his body developed toxic hepatitis.

He was then admitted to the hospital in Sliven, in the gastroenterology department, where they treated the hepatitis. Those were difficult days. His body was exhausted, but his spirit remained strong. During this time we continued the correspondence with Greece, hoping that there was still a solution.

We were given an appointment for an examination on September 29. I will never forget that day. After all the rejections and disappointments, the professor in Athens said clearly - there was no other way out but surgery. This was our last hope.

We sold our inherited land, the only thing we had left. We made charity boxes in our town and then something happened that gave us back our faith in people. So many people responded. Acquaintances and strangers, friends and neighbors. Everybody helped as they could. Thanks to them we were able to raise the funds for the operation.

On October 7, my husband entered the operating room. The intervention lasted twelve hours. The doctors managed to remove the entire tumor - six kilograms. Along with it, they had to remove the kidney, cut out part of the colon and do a complicated reconstruction of all the affected blood vessels.

The operation was performed at the private hospital Athens Medical Centre because the professor who agreed to perform it works there. We are grateful to this man for his courage, professionalism and humanity. But staying in a private hospital is extremely expensive and unaffordable for us.

From 7 to 15 October, the cost of the hospital stay, the medicines, the consumables, the tests and the scanners already amounted to 45,000 euros.

We have reached a point where all our options have been exhausted. We have sold everything we had, but the amount remains unaffordable for our family.

That is why we are appealing to all good people with a huge request - help us to continue this fight. Every lev, every shared word, every support means hope. Hope for life. Hope for more time. Hope to come home together.