Get animals so there is a purpose to coming home and knowing you are faithfully welcomed!

My name is Xenia, I was born in Odessa in 2005. But it so happened in my life that I moved and now I live with my aunt in Kiev.

I got sick when I was 5 years old, my leg fell ill and when they started examining it, they sent me to the Institute of Cancer Diseases for treatment and diagnosed me with osteogenic sarcoma. I was treated for a long time, 1 year and 2 months, underwent 17 high-dose chemotherapies and was preparing for surgery for endoprosthesis.

But something went wrong and my leg had to be amputated. In the hospital I drew a lot, volunteers came, it was very interesting with them and it saved me from bad thoughts.

Throughout my illness I was supported not only by my family, but also by my pet dog. I was motivated, knowing that my small furry snout was waiting for me at home, I was more eager to get well and come home to her. Get a pet so that there is a purpose to coming home and knowing that you are faithfully welcomed!

We did not have prosthetics for a long time, because the bone after amputation was resting on soft tissues and traumatizing. It was supposed to be a new operation, but everything turned out fine and we still went to Kharkiv for prosthetics.

I had my first prosthesis made in Kharkov, nobody taught me how to walk, I learned to walk somehow by myself. After the first prosthesis, my aunt enrolled me in drawing courses. We went to exhibitions, concerts, theaters, I led a very active lifestyle.

Coronavirus made its adjustments in life and we decided to go to Odesa, to the Center for Prosthetic and Orthopedic Care Tellus, and there to make a new hip prosthesis after disarticulation of the hip joint, especially because my grandmother lives not far from the center.

We went and got prosthetics, the prosthetic technicians were very responsible in their work. I was taught to walk in a completely new way, I underwent rehabilitation, for which I am very grateful to the Tellus team.

I want to say that if you feel like something is wrong with your body, there are always loved ones, friends who will lend a helping hand and a loyal pet by your side. Live and enjoy every day!