Hello!
I am the mother of Andrei Malozemov. On March 17 Andrei turned 7. Back in September he started pre-school. Many children were not too fond of classes, but Andrei always awaited Mondays and Thursdays eagerly: he looked forward to going to school, prepared his books and his bag and even took it to kindergarten with him. He showed his marks to friends and teachers in kindergarten (almost every lesson he got a sticker that marked his progress). In all the time he attended kindergarten I never heard any complaints about my son from teachers. He always was a good, calm and sociable boy, and most importantly, he was always healthy.
In September 2008 we went to hospital for a blood test which we needed for an allergist visit (since early childhood Andrei has had spring allergy). The test showed an elevated leukocyte count (11) and blood sedimentation rate (58). We were attending the hospital for two weeks. Andrei had an ultrasound which testified to some changes in his liver. We were transferred to Children's City Hospital 1 for further examination. It was there that Andrei started to have a fever, first it was 38.5C, then it got higher. The examinations lasted for two months (the doctors could not arrive at a diagnosis), and all that time Andrei had a fever of 41C. He had 5 courses of antibiotics and went through numerous tests.
It was a nightmare, the doctors were in no hurry, and my son was simply dying. He did not eat, lost a lot of weight and did not want to talk to anyone. Finally the doctors decided to do a liver biopsy. The next day the head of the unit came up to me and said that we would have an exact diagnosis later, but she could already say that we were being transferred to another hospital because it was about oncology. And off she went. I cannot even remember the next two days.
At Hospital 31 the doctors explained everything to me, they comforted me a little and made me believe in the treatment, and that was the most important thing. Andrei’s diagnosis is as follows: Hodgkin's lymphoma (lymphogranulomatosis), nodular sclerosis, stage 4B. Our protocol implies 6 chemotherapy courses, of which 2 are already over. Andrei did well. The fever never came back after the first course. We hope to recover and be healthy again, and even to start school together with all of Andrei's friends. He dreams of that!
Any help we can get will be very much appreciated!

Irina Viktorovna Vasilieva,
Andrei's mother
Address:
5-i Predportovy pr., d. 10, k. 2, kv. 217,
196204 St. Petersburg, Russia
Telephones:
+7 (904) 513-74-95 (Irina, mother)
+7 (812) 722-60-42 (home)

Epicrisis

Update as of June 3, 2009. Andrei underwent one more round of chemotherapy. He was discharged home where he is recovering. Next he is planned to undergo radiation therapy.

Update as of June 26, 2009. Andrei completed a course of treatment, and he now needs to undergo CT scan that costs 15,000 rubles and PET imaging that costs 16,000 rubles. Please help Andrei urgently!

Update as of July 10, 2009. Andrei was administered the 6th course of polychemotherapy (CORDAC) and referred for tests, CT scan and PET imaging. Andrei tolerated the course well.
On July 6th he had CT scan with contrast on his neck, chest and abdomen.
Conclusion: single hypovascular nodule in the right lobe, enlarged retroperitoneal paraaortal lymph node.
Compared to CT scan as of 12/12/08 and 01/16/09 positive dynamic is present: enlarged lymph nodes in chest and abdomen disappeared, while number of liver lesions has decreased.
PET imaging will take place on July 17th, after which Andrei will be prescribed radiation therapy.
Andrei's mom

Update as of July 30, 2009. Andrei underwent PET imaging on July 17th. The series of tomograms of his neck, chest and abdominal cavity showed no lesions. The signs of metabolic activity of the tumoral process were not identified.
On July 19th Andrei started radiation therapy that will last 28 days. The first two sessions he tolerated well.
Andrei's mom

Update as of August 16, 2009. Andrei is undergoing radiation therapy so we are now at home. He feels relatively well. Andrei plays, goes out, likes to draw and make crafts. This weekend we plan to go to the zoo.
Andrei's mom

Update as of September 10, 2009. Andrei is continuing radiation therapy. Yesterday, an ultrasound test showed odd changes in his spleen. Today Andrei went for biochemical test. After finishing radiation therapy on September 18th, it was decided that Andrei will go for another ultrasound and then CT scan. Based on the test results, the doctors will determine further treatment. The CT scan will cost 9,800 rubles.
Andryusha started school. With all his friends, he went to the line gathering on the first day of school. However, for now he studies at home. He feels well.
Andrei's mom

Update as of December 25, 2009. Andrei is now having examinations in City Hospital 31, he has already had an ultrasound and is going to have another examination shortly. Andrei has had a course of antibiotics treatment, he's generally feeling ok, just has a minor cold. The boy is studying at home and is making progress.

Update as of January 22, 2010. Andryusha had an ultrasound of abdominal organs that showed lesions in his spleen. The doctors believe that they are due to infection and have no relation to Andrei's main diagnosis.
He was prescribed a course of two antibiotics for 20 days. If the spleen's condition does not change, it may have to be removed.
Andrei's mom

Update as of February 5, 2010. The ultrasound showed that splenic lesions have shrunk. Andrei will continue therapy with antibiotics.

Update as of February 27, 2010. Unfortunately, ultrasound scan still shows lesions on Andrei's spleen, although CT scan does not indicate presence of any pathologic areas. The nature of the lesions is unclear. The doctors believe that these lesions, if they indeed exist, are not related to Andrei's main diagnosis. He will need additional testing. The CT scan was paid for with Andrei's disability pension. If additional tests will have to be paid for, we will not be able to afford them.

Update as of March 22, 2010. Andryusha had ultrasound of his abdomen at Children's hospital No.1. It did not find any pathology (contrary to examination at City hospital No.31). The blood test results for immunostatus are normal. The CBC showed increase in ESR. The repeat blood test and ultrasound were scheduled for March 30th.
Last week Andryusha turned 8. He received a remote-controlled helicopter and LEGO set as presents. Andrei also went to his school for a celebration to say good-bye to the alphabet book.

Update as of May 1, 2010. Unfortunately, the situation is still not clear. The ultrasound study at hospital No.31 shows uncertain changes in Andrei's spleen. We were recommended to go for CT scan at Children's hospital No.5. We made an appointment for May 4.
Andrei's mom

Update as of May 7, 2010. Andryusha underwent CT scan at Children's hospital No.5. There was no pathology noted in abdominal organs. However, CT scan showed enlarged right subclavicular lymph node. During the consultation in City hospital No.31 it was decided to biopsy the lymph node.
Andrei's mom

Update as of May 8, 2010. Andryusha underwent surgery at City Hospital No.31 to remove a lymph node. The material was sent for histological testing. We expect the results in 10 days. After the surgery Andrei's temperature rose, but by the evening he was in stable condition.

Update as of May 20, 2010. Andryusha had a relapse. To determine the right treatment, he needs to have PET imaging and CT scan at Military Medical Academy. The cost of the examination is 25,000 rubles.
Please help!

Update as of June 10, 2010. Andryusha completed the first cycle of chemotherapy. He feels well. If his test results are good, he may be allowed to go home to rest. After the second cycle, he is planned to undergo PET to evaluate effect of chemotherapy.

Update as of July 14, 2010. After the first chemotherapy cycle, Andryusha had high temperature (to 38C and higher) for a long time. He was prescribed antibiotics, but an examination did not find any infection. In addition, his allergy became worse. Otolaryngologist suspected sinus infection, but it was not confirmed either. With two-week delay, Andryusha started the second chemotherapy cycle. He feels well. When his test results are good, in-between infusions, he is allowed to go home.
Andrei's mom

Update as of July 15, 2010. Andryusha completed the second chemotherapy cycle. Prior to the start of the third cycle he was allowed to go home, but he was only able to be at home for three days. Just like after the first cycle, Andrei's temperature rose and he had to return to the hospital.
The reason for the temperature is unclear, so he receives antibiotics and his temperature is going down. After the third cycle of chemotherapy, Andrei will need to go for CT scan on July 27th. It will cost 9,000 rubles. Please help us with paying for it.
Andrei's mom

Update as of July 28, 2010. Based on test results, Andrei had improved significantly. In the next few days he is planned to go for a consultation at R. Gorbacheva Pediatric Hematology & Transplantology Institute. Collection of stem cells for autologous transplantation will be discussed.
Andrei is now at home. He is resting between the chemotherapy courses. Andrei spends a lot of time outside and biking.
Andrei's mom

Update as of August 27, 2010. Andryusha completed the third chemotherapy cycle. The first few days afterwards were difficult, but by now Andrei had recovered and went home with his mom to recover. In September he will need to undergo PET imaging to decided whether to continue chemotherapy or transfer Andrei to Pediatric Hematology and Transplantology Institute to prepare for autologous transplantation. Andrei's mother is asking for help with paying for PET that costs 25,000 rubles.

Update as of October 7, 2010. PET study showed that Andrei is in complete remission. In the next few days, Andrei's hospitalization at BMT clinic for autologous transplantation will be discussed. He is now at home and feels rather well.

Update as of December 1, 2010. Andrei underwent autologous transplantation on November 9th. He recovered without particular issues. On November 29th he was discharged from the hospital. He will now visit the hospital for regular checkups. In a month, he is planned to undergo CT scan. Andrei feels well.
Andrei's mom

Update as of March 13, 2011. Andryusha is completing radiation therapy (it lasted from January 17 to March 21). He now feels well and goes for radiation from home. In early May he will need PET/CT (it cost 25,000 rubles the last time). Andrei is continuing to study at home. He completed the 1st quarter with all "A"s (he is in the 2nd grade).

Update as of October 10, 2011. Andrei is doing well. He goes to the 3rd grade at school (finished grade 2 with all excellent marks), so far he's having home classes. He also attends a swimming pool and ship modeling classes.
Last week's examinations showed that everything is fine. The doctor appointed PET+CT on December 21 (around 25,000 roubles). Since Andrei is always home I cannot go to work. I need your help to pay for the scans. Thank you all very much!
Andrei's mother

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