Hello,
We are parents of a 9-year-old Artem Revyagin from Ulyanovsk region. In
August 2007 our son got sick with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. At the 36th
day of treatment, despite expectations, Artem did not achieve remission. He
was prescribed 6 cycles of high-dose chemotherapy. Each cycle was very
difficult for him. All the blood counts were falling to zero, and infections
attacked (Artem had sepsis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis of femur that required
2 surgeries, and lip abscess). He tolerated everything stoically, killing
"bad cells" by the power of his mind.
Artem is naturally a very quiet and silent child. It really hurt me to see a
few tears roll down his cheeks from time to time. Seven months later, a
long-awaited remission was finally achieved. Then Artem had radiation therapy
and maintenance therapy. How joyous we were when all of this was finished! But
we were only happy for a month – then a relapse occurred, and all the colors
outside our window faded away again. Tema had to go through two cycles of
high-dose chemotherapy, and the doctors were looking away. But his enormous
desire to live and great plans for the future took over the "bad cells"
at the end.
Artem is completing 2nd grade. He loves math and constructor sets, and Valery
Meladze's music. My son is a very serious and mature boy for his age. Five
months later, he had a second relapse. The doctors are telling us that he
needs bone marrow transplantation: it is the only chance for Artem to live.
The donor search at the international registry costs 15,000 euros, and delivery
of transplant costs additional 2,500 euros. The precious time is passing by,
and our son really wants to live! We plead you: please help us raise money
and save our son!
Update as of August 26, 2010.
Based on puncture results we received today. Artem had a relapse
(36% ob blasts in bone marrow). Urgent haploidentical transplantation
from one of the parents is under discussion. Artem's mom was already
typed, and his father was called in and he will be tested on Monday.
The donor search at the registry is put on hold for now.
Artem's family will need close to 500,000 rubles to pay for the
special equipment.
Update as of September 6, 2010.
Based on control puncture results, Artem has 36% of blasts in bone marrow,
so instead of waiting for 100% matching donor to be found, Artem underwent
haploidentical transplantation from his mother. He is now in 4th
conditioning day. Transplantation is scheduled for September 13th.
Update as of October 6, 2010.
Artem has recovered after the transplantation; the blood counts are normal,
and the results of biopsy show that he is in remission! The test on the percentage
of donor bone marrow is still not ready. There are no signs of GVHD and infections.
Artem feels well, he is allowed to take short walks outside.
Update as of October 24, 2010.
Judging by the test results the mother's bone marrow failed to take hold
and Artem's own cells have recovered. There are no blasts but he still has
the minimal remaining disease. The doctors decided not to perform another
haplotransplantation from his mother. A comparison puncture and start
of chemotherapy course are scheduled for tomorrow. The search for a
bone marrow donor in the international registry might be resumed.
Update as of October 30, 2010.
A decision was made to perform second haploidentical transplantation,
this time from Artem's father. A search for the donor at the international
registry will not be initiated due to lack of time and high possibility of relapse.
Update as of November 3, 2010.
Transplantation from Artem's father is scheduled for mid-November.
In the next few days, Artem will undergo therapy with Cytosar to prevent
blasts growth in bone marrow, as he still has minimal residual disease.
Update as of November 26, 2010.
Transplantation took place on November 15th. Artem is now in cytopenia.
He is fatigued and has fever. To fight infectious complications, he needs Vfend,
Tavanic and Tazocin.
Update as of December 22, 2010.
Donor's bone marrow engrafted and began functioning, but so did graft
versus host disease (skin and intestinal). There are complications with
liver and Artem was also diagnosed with cytomegalovirus infection.
He receives several antibiotics, Heptral, albumin, Cymevene and
hormonal therapy. After transplantation, Tema slept a lot.
Now he is more active and today played with Legos all day. But he
does not eat much and spend a lot of energy on fighting GVHD.
Artem's mom
