Hello!
My name is Lyubov Golubeva. My son Dima is one year and two months old. When he was examined by an ophtalmologist at the age of 10 months, the Doctor found numerous tumors on his both eyes - retinoblastoma. According to the doctors, his right eye could not see at all, his left eye was badly affected. But the baby born with this disease could adapt to it, he was actively palying, started walking early, recognized his family and never mixed us up. That is why his behavior of a sunbeam did not give a cause for concern about his eyesight. And the tumors were growing from day to day.
Immediately after that examination we were taken to the eye department of City Hospital #5. THe diagnosis was prooved - both eyes wee badly affected. The doctors thought the eyes should be put out to avoid the tumor growing into the optic nerve and affecting the nervous system. They were thinking of saving the baby's life. Because of the grave condition, it was decided that chemotherapy should be urgently carried out. At that time we found out that in Germany, in Essen University clinic, there is a department specializing on retinoblastoma, that has been studying the disease for 30 years in collaboration with genetics, radiologists and ophtalmologists and successfully cures it. We sent there an application and were appointed a date a month later. During that month, Dima has passed chemotherapy cycle.
In Germany we passed an examination that showed that both eyes can be saved, it is also probable to partially save the eyesight of both eyes. According to the German doctors, because of the specific position, size and stage of the tumors the Russian doctors were mistaken and the chemotherapy prescribed to my son (6 cycles) could not help him, both his eyes would have to be put out with the time. That is why Dima had a cycle of radiation treatment with high-tech equipment that, unfortunately, we do not yet have in Russia. We had to borrow money for the treatment (Euro 13 577).
We thank God and all of those who helped us to go to Germany and save Dima's eyes! After the therapy, we have to visit the clinic regularly, every three months for check-up. At present, the tumors are not active but there is a risk that they will start growing again. Probably we will need an additional treatment (cryogenic treatment costs Euro 700-800, brachytherapy costs about Euro 5000). The doctors say that there is a hope to live a normal life, but there should be a regular check-up. I do not work at present, only my husband is working. We also have one more son who is 8 years old.
Each trip to Germany for a check-up will cost Euro 700-800:

the tickets to and from Dusseldorf - 2*Euro 200 = Euro 400,
the check-up - Euro 200,
staying in the Parents' House - 4 to 5 days * Euro 20 = Euro 80-100,
interpretor - Euro 60-80.

We can't afford making these trips and paying out the debt for the treatment provided. Please, help us!
Thank you very much for any help.

Lyubov Golubeva, Dima's mother
Home address:
42, appartment 107.
proezd Nastavnikov,
195279, St Petersburg, Russia
Contact phones:
+7 (812) 526-34-48 (home)
+7 (911) 942-54-06 (Lyubov, mother)
+7 (911) 915-82-99 (Pavel, father)

Transfer epicrisis
Discharge summary
Statement from Essen University clinic (translated from German to Russian)
Results of check-up in Essen University clinic (translated from German to Russian)

Update as of October 26, 2010. Last wek we visited the clinic in Essen. The check-up went well, the situation is stable, no new areas of disease have been revealed, the old ones are not active. During the check-up, three small tumors in the left eye were removed, the doctor said that they were not active and their location allows to use cryotherapy to remove them.
In the right eye the tumors are big and are located in the back of the eye, they can't be removed, they can be only monitored. The next visit is apppointed on December 7, that is in 7 weeks.
Three persons addressed me directly and gave me money that was enough to pay for the check-up and for staying in the Parents' House.
That is why I ask for permission to express my gratitude to those people who so quickly answered our request and to people who do not stay indifferent to other people's misery.
Also, I wish recuperation to all of the kids!!! And I wish strength, faith and courage to their parents.
Dima's Mother

Update as of September 14, 2011. Our son Dima is now 2 years and 4 months old. We have been treated in the European Retinoblastoma Research Centre of Essen University clinic for about a year. Last year we had to visit the clinic eight times, five times cryogenic therapy was used to freeze the tumors. Unfortunately, during the latest visit a relapse was revealed and a new cryogenic procedure was prescribed. The next visit is appointed on November 1. We ask you to help us pay for this trip, as we are at the end of our own resourses.

An approximate cost of one trip is Euro 1000:
tickets - Euro 500, check-up - Euro 200-250, accomodation - Euro 200, interpretor - Euro 50-100.

Thank you very much for any help!

Lyubov, Dima's mother

Update as of November 20, 2011. Hello! Our trip went well. Dima has no new lesions and the old ones are inactive. The next evaluation is scheduled for the early January, in 8 weeks, as usual. Pediatric evaluation had also shown that everything is well.
I am planning to start taking Dima to daycare again. He really likes it. Thank you for your help! All the best!
Respectfully, Lubov Golubeva

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