Near-fatal illness strengthens Estonia's Niina Petrokina

[gsk8]

Near-fatal illness strengthens Estonia's Niina Petrokina

Niina Petrokina When seeing the exuberant joy that Estonia’s Niina Petrokina displays on the ice, as well as the landings of her effortless triple jumps, one would never have guessed […]

www.goldenskate.com

"I was diagnosed with the most severe stage, requiring constant blood transfusions to maintain the minimum required level of blood cells for life," Petrokina recalled. "My hemoglobin was so low that it was difficult for me to just walk and climb stairs. I was getting hematomas. I could forget about training."

She urgently needed a bone marrow transplant, but no suitable donor was found. As the athlete's condition worsened, the doctors decided to go for an immunosuppression therapy.

"I had a 50/50 chance," Petrokina said. "On the whole, I was in the hospital for five months without any physical activity. At most, I just walked along the hospital corridor in the evenings, because I had no strength to do more."

I'm so glad she has pulled through this thus far! She has been selected for two GPs and will compete at Shanghai Trophy and Lombardia Trophy this season!

 

[Colonel Green]

I recall wondering about her when she completely vanished for a year, even if it was the pandemic season so it was slightly less noticeable.

Amazing to come back from that so smoothly.

 

[labgoat]

Near-fatal illness strengthens Estonia's Niina Petrokina

Niina Petrokina When seeing the exuberant joy that Estonia’s Niina Petrokina displays on the ice, as well as the landings of her effortless triple jumps, one would never have guessed […]

www.goldenskate.com

"I was diagnosed with the most severe stage, requiring constant blood transfusions to maintain the minimum required level of blood cells for life," Petrokina recalled. "My hemoglobin was so low that it was difficult for me to just walk and climb stairs. I was getting hematomas. I could forget about training."

She urgently needed a bone marrow transplant, but no suitable donor was found. As the athlete's condition worsened, the doctors decided to go for an immunosuppression therapy.

"I had a 50/50 chance," Petrokina said. "On the whole, I was in the hospital for five months without any physical activity. At most, I just walked along the hospital corridor in the evenings, because I had no strength to do more."

I'm so glad she has pulled through this thus far! She has been selected for two GPs and will compete at Shanghai Trophy and Lombardia Trophy this season!

I am so impressed with her mental strength to make such a mature decision to put her health first and by her impressive recovery. I will be hoping her health issues are behind her and that she can resume and enjoy her skating. I will be watching with a smile.

 

[el henry]

So very impressive to confront a serious illness like aplastic anemia and still return to skating.

No matter how she finishes in her comps, she is a champion.

 

[cheerknithanson]

Wow, holy moly. Just curious though, does Estonia or Spain search internationally for bone marrow donors? I know she's better now, but just curious.

 

[macy]

wow, the fact she was able to return at all is truly incredible. i wish her all the best and good health.

 

[lariko]

Oh my gosh, all the best to her. I loved seeing her skating live last year, and will cheer for her all the more now.