Hello!
I was born in 1979 in Abkhazia. I got my degree in Moscow from Russian
University of Peoples’ Friendship. I am an accountant amd lawyer by education.
I am married and I have two sons of 5 and 6 years of age.
It all started in September 2009 with the enlargement of supraclavicular
lymph nodes. Hematologist told me that I had T-cell lymphoma/leukemia.
In Krasnodar Cancer Center I had a cycle of chemotherapy according to the
standard protocol, but in July 2010 the first relapse happened. Anti-relapse
course of chemotherapy was not effective. I went to Moscow for follow-up
examination at Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center. The doctors referred
me for HYPER-CVAD chemotherapy to be administered at the place of my residence,
and recommended bone marrow transplantation at St. Petersburg Raisa Gorbacheva
Center of Pediatric Hematology and Transplantology.
Doctors in St. Petersburg tested my two sisters, but unfortunately they were
not suitable bone marrow donors for me. My last chance was to apply to
International Register for search for an unrelated donor; I have no other
alternative for getting well, living, and bringing up my kids.
I returned to Krasnodar, where I had a HYPER-CVAD cycle, but in April of 2011
the second relapse happened. Together with the doctors from St. Petersburg
Raisa Gorbacheva Center of Pediatric Hematology and Transplantology it was
decided to have an anti-relapse FLAG cycle, which was very harsh for me,
and not effective. I was discharged from the hospital in a critical condition
with a conclusion "completely resistant to chemotherapy", a recommendation
to go for blood tests on weekly basis, chemotherapy in pills, and without any
prospects of recovery. It was a miracle that helped me to regain strength and
a month after my discharge I was able to come to St. Petersburg. Doctors from
St. Petersburg believe that it is possible to overcome the disease, if a donor
is found. At present I receive regular cycles of chemotherapy in a municipal
hospital of St. Petersburg to get in shape for going through transplantation.
I have already paid the first installment of 5,000 euros to International
Registry of Bone Marrow Donors. It enabled the start of donor search. To
finish the search, harvest bone marrow from a donor, and deliver the material
to St. Petersburg takes additional 12,500 euros. This is too much for my family.
We have spent all our savings during two years of treatment. Our friends and
relatives helped us a lot, but now all funds ran out.
I have group I disability, and I have to rent an apartment in St. Petersburg
and buy medicine. As a part of chemotherapy I need Atriance, which costs
70,000 rubles a cycle. This medicine is lacking at the hospital right now.
At present I am undergoing a third cycle, and I need a fourth one.
I will greatly appreciate any help from those who care!
I am thankful to everyone who does not leave me face my misfortune alone!
