Medical Challenges in Unsafe Odessa: Navigating Uncertainty and Hope Amid Crisis

Today has been overwhelming, and I need to share what’s on my mind. Living in unsafe Odessa brings constant challenges, and my ongoing medical issues only add to the stress. I went to the doctor today for a check-up on my leg. Thankfully, it’s healing well—I’ll need to wear the cast for another 18 days, but after that, I can switch to a bandage and begin walking more normally. The doctor even encouraged me to travel to Poland for further care and gave me a contact for a specialist there.

For a moment, I felt hopeful, but then reality hit. The appointment cost $200—a significant amount here—and I had to use money I’d saved for my trip. Now I can’t afford to leave in two days as planned.

It’s frustrating to be stuck in Odessa, where safety feels like a distant memory. The recent drone strikes have made life here even more unpredictable, and medical services, while available, come with high costs and long waits. Many people are struggling just to access care.

I feel trapped, exhausted, and unsure of what to do. Should I give up on my trip to Poland, which I’ve been waiting so long for? Or keep pushing forward, despite the odds? Odessa is my home, but right now, it feels like a prison.

The devastating impact of a recent Russian drone attack in Odesa, with a residential building left heavily damaged, highlighting the city's ongoing safety challenges.