Light at the End of the Tunnel

On a beautiful November day in 2017, the Musteață family's world was turned upside down. Terrible news shattered their dreams: Stelian, their 3-year-old son, was diagnosed with cancer. Nothing foretold this pain, but it came uninvited, without asking permission.

Anna, the boy's mother, sadly remembers that period: "Stelian was in his first year of kindergarten, where he really liked it. He was barely 3 months old when he started making new friends, fitting into the group of children, even though he was frequently sick. At the beginning of November, he had bronchitis. Several weeks of treatment followed, but without any results, until I decided to go with him to the family doctor again, to ask for antibiotics. But while I was waiting, blood started flowing from his nose and his fever suddenly rose. That's when the doctors intervened, we called the ambulance and we were urgently transported to the "V. Ignatenco" Children's Clinical Hospital, Intensive Care Unit".

A difficult night followed for the entire family. Stelian remained alone in the hospital, and the boy's parents and sister went home, to return the next day. Overnight, the doctors decided that a computed tomography scan was needed, a device that the hospital did not have, that's why the child was transported to the Mother and Child Institute.

LEGO. PLEURESIA. PERICARDITIS

"Stelian was passionate about Lego toys. He often put the pieces in his mouth, and the doctors thought he had swallowed a smaller piece, which blocked a bronchus, because after the X-ray taken the night he was in intensive care, it was discovered that there was not enough air in one lung. At the Mother and Child Institute, we also found out that he had pericarditis, but also pleurisy, and his situation was very serious. We stayed there for 5 days, also in the intensive care unit, where the fluid from his heart was removed. Unfortunately, the doctors there told us that they could not help him with anything and we were transferred to another hospital again", says Stelian's mother.

This time they arrived at the Republican Clinical Hospital "Timofei Moșneaga", where the boy was admitted to the Congenital Heart Malformations ward and prepared for surgery, not before undergoing pleural punctures, numerous investigations and tests.

SUSPECTED CANCER. IMMATURE TERATOMA

"Before surgery, the doctor informed us that there was a suspicion of cancer, but a clear diagnosis was established only after the intervention - immature teratoma of the thymus. The day I learned this term, I searched the entire internet and was scared by what I was reading and seeing. That's when I decided not to look for any more information and to leave everything in the hands of specialist doctors. Thus, after the operation, we were redirected to the Oncology Institute, and on the third day of Christmas, with the diagnosis of Malignant tumor of the mediastinum (immature teratoma), Stelian was admitted to the Pediatric Oncology ward", Anna recalls.

In the hospital that became his second home for the next 6 months, the little patient found a very warm and friendly environment. Here, in addition to the long chemotherapy sessions, Stelian played with the other children in the ward, was visited by Santa Claus, received Easter gifts, became friends with the doctors and nurses, and discovered that the world that seemed scary to others, is beautiful to him, even though he has to endure needles and infusions every day.

About that period, the boy's mother tells with a twinkle in her eyes: "Stelian had just turned three, and the thought of having to spend a lot of time in the hospital scared me. For me, the Oncology Hospital was associated with death, as I think it is for many others, but after the door to the ward, I met many smiles, a lot of good cheer, many happy and confident people. That gave me courage and I knew from the first day that Stelian was strong and, with so many beautiful people by his side, he could not lose the fight. And the encouragement of the doctors, who told us that "every man has the right to a chance", gave us wings and hope".

After the 6 courses of chemotherapy, in June 2018, little Stelian left the Pediatric Oncology ward. He walked out the door victorious and with the confidence that he would never return here again (except for a visit).

WHAT IS STELIAN DOING NOW?

Currently, Stelian is a second-grade student. He is growing up happily with his parents and two sisters and wants to become an inventor. He is still passionate about Lego, but he knows that this toy can be dangerous for young children, which is why he does not allow his sister to play with the small pieces. He regularly goes for check-ups, investigations and medical tests, and the results are always gratifying.

He is proud that his parents chose to be treated here, in the Republic of Moldova, and says that when he grows up, he will write a book in which he will tell his story. Until then, his story is periodically told by his mother, journalist Anna Casian-Musteață, as encouragement for all families who are going through this disease and believe that they will never see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The light exists, but it takes time, patience and hope to reach it. AO "Life Without Leukemia" helps children with cancer see the light and embrace it, then carry it forward!