![PAY IT FORWARD - Iwona]()
PAY IT FORWARD - Iwona
It was yet another "chem" treatment. The nurse dropped the bag of fluid which was supposed to go into my IV. The bag fell apart and the nurse ran out of the room in fear. Then a crew came to clean up. Everyone was in biohazard suits and chemical masks. Then I realized what poison they were pouring into my veins.
I've always been drawn to people. Mainly those who need help. So I left my first profession - a midwife and finished my studies in social work. My "career path" was very complicated. It also guided me through some commercial companies. I have been looking for "my place" for many years. Finally, I found the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation and Marek, who was its volunteer. It was 2011.
Volunteer Center. It is a place which brings together volunteers from Konin and the surrounding area. Directing the empathy, effort, knowledge and skills of these people into activities that require support. Not only in the Foundation, but also in the city and in the region. This was our vision. The Foundation's board also liked it. I was faced with the mission of creating and managing the Center. Everything was new to me. Managing a huge team, tasks that often seem impossible, movement, energy of people - those who were supporting and those who needed support.
After 5 years, I felt like I had to take a turn in my life. I was 47 years old, I had an adult daughter and a loved one who decided to live in Scotland. I followed him. I came back after 3 months. I was longing for Poland, my family, "my people". That yearning saved me.
“I don't need a mammogram. I run tests every six months. "I'm healthy." This is how I evaded when one of the oncology specialists persuaded me to visit a mammobus and undergo examination during the Women's Congress in Konin. I still don't know why I gave in.
"This doesn't look good." This is what the doctor said about my mammography results. A biopsy of the nodule visible in the photo showed that... we don't know what it is. They removed it during surgery. Later, they subjected it to more detailed tests. I sent my daughter for the results. At that time I was at... the airport. I helped our paragliders. When I found out it was cancer, I decided one thing: I will not be afraid, I will not listen to sad stories nor I will "hang out on the Internet"; I will live as normally as possible.
I had more than one "chem" treatment. "Red", "white", "targeted". There were also: radiotherapy, hormone therapy and brachytherapy. And I'm wearing an "artistic" turban on my bald head... I graduated from theater studies. And I was still working. At 30%, but I was! I only took sick leave for the hospital stays. And for the time when radioactive material, dangerous to others, was introduced into my tumor bed. Finally, the cancer "retired". However, "chemistry" devastated my body.
I get up at 5:00 in the morning. To get to work by 8:00. I go to the bathroom and massage my hands under warm water to hold anything in them. The joints of my arms and legs are in very bad condition. Additionally, headaches, memory gaps, and problems with concentration. There are days when I don't have the strength to get out of bed and get dressed myself... That's how I live. And that's how I work. In a new place. I manage the Foundation's training apartments and their employees. I support their residents in gaining independence. And I'm so happy. For every little success. Both those under our care and my own.
My name is IWONA.
I am a social specialist, theater instructor and training apartments coordinator.
I live with complications from cancer.
I am an INDEPENDENT PERSON.
![PAY IT FORWARD - Iwona]()
PAY IT FORWARD - Iwona
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