Dorota never thought something as simple as a pair of shoes would bring her so much joy.
Dorota was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in 2013. RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults—symptoms tend to go unnoticed until the disease is advanced. At the time of Dorota’s diagnosis and treatment, only 13 percent of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) survived for more than five years.
“I had a huge fear that I would not be able to win against cancer. But every day, we are faced with a choice: to carry on or to give up,” Dorota said. “I never give up.”
After being diagnosed, she underwent surgery and intense chemotherapy, which had painful side effects. She spent months unable to wear shoes due to swelling and painful cracking skin. For a time, she couldn’t even walk; she crawled to the bathroom on her hands and knees. She had extreme difficulty swallowing food and her quality of life was at an all-time low. But, as her family members attest, Dorota is stubborn.