Andrius Žučenka: Losing a patient is hard, but losing the youngest ones is extremely tough

Andrius Žučenka shared on X:

“Today I lost my 19years old AML patient, a sweet and kind girl, who had an extremely aggressive refractory disease an died after 2nd alloSCT. Losing a patient is hard, but losing the youngest ones is extremely tough. Despite putting maximum effort, modern therapies and care.

I still rethink every step where we could have done something differently. Days like this bring me back to my residency, during which I also lost my first young AML patient for whom I’ve taken direct care, and it hit me hard. These experiences make me wonder whether.

I should have chosen a different field, but at the same time realising there’s a number of patients who are cured or in prolonged remissions. AML is a monster and I hope the progress we’re all doing will cure more and more patients, especially the young ones.”

Source: Andrius Žučenka/X

Andrius Žučenka is the Head of The Department of Specialized Care For Immunocompromised Patients and haematologist at VUL Santara Clinics. He is also a lecturer and junior researcher at Vilnius University.