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Polish CF Patient - Iga Hedwig Diary - published in 2011

The Diary of Iga Hedwig is an authentic story of a teenage girl Iga, who faces a genetic disease – Cystic Fibrosisⁱ.

She was born in Poland where reality was very difficult. Iga, fully aware of the fragileness of her life and the dramatic situation, in which Polish CF patients were treated, kept a diary from the age of 14. She described the constant fight for breath, but also the regulative absurdities within Polish Health Care. She pictured the very bad state of hospital departments, where terminally ill, both children and adult patients, are treated.

She hoped her book would be read by the authorities of the Ministry of Health, which again she hoped, would help to change the fate of CF patients. Her notes reflect feelings of CF patients, when waiting for a place in the hospital. Attacks of choking cough, continuous lack of breath, although she used oxygen concentrator, brought her thoughts to the worst level…

The dream of longer and better life for CF patients, paid with Iga and her death and still living young friends‘ suffering, are still alive. The life of CF Patients in Western Europe is far longer and easier.

Despite Iga’s constant struggle with adversities, she was still faithful to God. Faith gave her the power to cope with everyday issues. She went through a five very hard years, making it easier for the next, however still first CF patients ever in Poland, to get a lung transplant.

Fragile as she was, Iga, still full of smile and hope, despite her great suffering enjoyed every moment of her life. Her victory opened new possibilities to Iga and her friends, as to her younger sister Julia, also suffering from CF.

After the transplant, Iga tried to make up for the lost years, trying to fulfill her dreams. Unfortunately, after another three years she lost all what had been offered to her in such
a miraculous way. The rejection of the transplanted longues made the horror of the disease come back.
The comeback of lack of breath, being bedridden.  The same fight started from the very start.

The unusual faith in God was again put to the tested. Also this time Iga accepted everything with humility. She did that although this time it was harder to accept the loss of everything she was so close to. The beauty of freedom, going out without the oxygen hose supplying oxygen to her body, the shine of youth beauty and full, deep breath. The lung retransplant ended after thirty nine days, with her death on intensive care unit.

23 year old Iga passed away accepting the death, leaving the great proof of faith, staying in the hearts of her family, friends and acquaintances as an icon of CF people in Poland. As the symbol of the struggle to change treatment system in Poland.

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