Every step may be the last

Two buckets of water – so much extra weight has to wear Tetiana Lapchenko on their own feet. Lymphostasis – the name of Tania's diagnosis, gradually takes away the opportunity to go. Lymph doesn't circulate in the lower extremities and forms a large swelling, increasing in volume 2 cm per month. The skin may burst at any moment. To dress, to wear on, to climb stairs, even to go to bed – all of these Tania can't independently. Her only hope is treatment in Germany with the invoice of 40 000 EUR.

Tetiana Lapchenko is 40, she's cheerful, lively, strong. That is how her friends and acquaintances think about her. The way this woman cries at night, don't know even her nearest and dearest. It all started 7 years ago. Then Tetiana was diagnosed ancer of the cervix 3 grade. Just a little chance to survive remained. But Tania coped with complex operation, and with "chemo", and radiotherapy. She managed, as it's said, anyway. Despite the difficult rehabilitation period the woman continued to work. Despite the betrayal of her beloved husband she hadn't lost faith in people. Despite the terrible pain she helped her son to raise up and she took care of her old mother.

However, against the effects of cancer treatment the woman was powerless. With the internal organs of Tania during surgery her lymph nodes were removed, and actually was deprived her lymphatic system. And she began to swell feet. Pills, massages and special treatments failed to stop the disease. Lymphostasis (stagnation of lymph tissue) very quickly made a once active Tania the disabled one. Permanent physical pain that increases with every movement, that was unable to satisfy any painkiller. To not hear offensive words and seeing oblique views, she tries not to leave the house without a need.

Her last hope was a medical project of STB "I am ashamed of my body". There were doctors who tried to at least alleviate the condition of Tania. A few months ago doctors noticed first results. For the first time in seven years the woman was able to sleep without at least a dose of painkiller! A hope for recovery appeared. And, unfortunately, a former volume turned very quickly. However, the pain has also returned. At this time, the skin on legs of Tetiana doesn't stand constantly inflamed and there's a risk of bursting almost every day. If not to stop the process, Tania will not be able to walk ever.

In the world there are only a few specialists who can help Tania. They found one of them in Germany. It was there, in one of the most prestigious clinics of curing the lymphostasis, "Feldi", it's said that there's a guarantee that almost 80 percent of edema can be deprived.

Doctors of the project "I am ashamed of my body" organized the consultation of doctors in the clinic "Feldi", and it became clear that the situation is much more difficult than they expected before. Tania will take a long and very expensive treatment. Three months of the unique therapy clinic costs 40 000 EUR – that's the price of her recovery. We must act immediately. For now, every step may be the last for Tania.

Name: Tetiana G. Lapchenko, born 08/01/1974

Location: Sumy

Diagnosis: lymphostasis 3 grade