Hello!
Let me tell you a few words about myself. My name is Denis Vasilashko,
I am 27, I live in the Far East in the city of Khabarovsk. I have
acute lymphoblastic leukemia. And here is the story itself.
My life was going on as usual: work, home and family. But
gradually I started to notice that I caught cold often, despite
the warm season, I began feeling weak and often got short of breath.
But like most of people I didn't pay attention to it and waited for
it to stop by itself. But it didn't. When I had my blood analysis
it became clear that I had leukemia.
It is now that I can calmly think and speak about it, but at that
time it was a shock. And all those questions: "Why me? What is it for?"
I tried to lead a healthy lifestyle all the time. I had a job, family
and a child, I successfully graduated from college in 2006, and served
in the army. When it all happened in 2010, I was waiting to go on vacation,
my wife and I were planning to take our son to the sea for the first
time But all the plans were ruined on September 30, 2010, when my
life became divided into "BEFORE" and "AFTER".
I was urgently taken to hematology department of Khabarovsk regional
hospital. I was warned at once that the treatment will take a lot of
time. Yes, those three months seemed to be endless...
But I was always supported by the people I could rely on, my friends,
my relatives. My parents and wife didn't miss a single day, they found
time to visit me even if for 10-15 minutes. In November I had a remission,
and I was looking forward to discharge from the hospital. But I was
told that with my type of leukemia I need bone marrow transplantation,
otherwise, there is a high risk of relapse. By now, I have already
had six chemotherapy cycles, and three of them were high dose ones.
In July 2011 I came to St Petersburg, to R. Gorbacheva Institute of
Hematology and Transplantology for an in-person consultation.
I was examined and it turned out that my sister cannot be my donor.
That means we have to look for a donor in the International registry.
It costs 15,000 euros for the search and 2500 euros for
the transplant delivery.
My family does not have so much money and I cannot earn it now either…
Yet, I believe that the main thing is that everything can be fixed and
I can be cured. All my doctors always remind me about it! I believe that
I will leave the hospital as a healthy man and return to my usual life,
not the life in a hospital ward, but a normal human life. We will be
raising our son and maybe will have a daughter too. I have caring
doctors, relatives and friends around me. I hope to overcome all
the challenges. My body is young and strong, it will endure everything!
The doctors of R. Gorbacheva Institute of Hematology and Transplantology
are ready to perform transplantation, there is even a quota assigned
for me. But unless the money is paid to the registry, the search for
the donor will not not start. The time is passing by… I am writing
with a hope that good people will come to my rescue.
Please help me take my chance to survive, and to raise my son! I
want to see my son grow up and become a caring husband and father!
Please help me defeat the disease!
Update as of July 28, 2011.
On July 30, 2011 my seventh chemotherapy cycle will be finished.
Denis
Update as of August 1, 2011.
I am doing OK and feel well, the seventh chemotherapy cycle is over.
Yesterday I got the results of the sternal puncture from St Petersburg.
The results are also good: chromosomal abnormality is gone, and I am
in complete remission.
Denis
Update as of August 9, 2011.
Today I transferred 5000 euros to the Morsch registry!
Denis
Update as of October 18, 2011.
Transplantation has been scheduled for November 30.
The funds for transplant delivery haven't been raised yet.
We need your help.
Update as of October 30, 2011.
Based on test results, Denis is in a relapse. He is coming to
St. Petersburg and will be hospitalized for anti-relapse chemotherapy
immediately.
Update as of November 12, 2011.
Denis arrived to St. Petersburg. He feels rather well.
Transplantation is scheduled for November 30th.
Update as of December 12, 2011.
Chemotherapy went well, without complications.
Transplantation was scheduled for December 16th.
Update as of January 26, 2012.
Transplantation took place on schedule and transplant engrafted.
Denis is in remission. However, he had serious issues with liver,
the cause of which could not be determined for a long time.
The right therapy has been found eventually, and Denis's bilirubin
went down to 178 from 300 and continues decreasing.
Update as of February 13, 2012.
Denis was diagnosed with a serious complication: encephalitis along with
cytomegalovirus infection. He was transferred to ICU on a ventilator
and receives appropriate therapy.
Update as of February 29, 2012.
Denis is feeling better: he is conscious and no longer on ALV.
The transplant is functioning ok.
There are some positive dynamics with cytomegalovirus. The doctors
suspect a fungal infection. This is to be confirmed yet but Denis
has been prescribed Vfend.
As of today the major problems are neurological (resulting from a
neurological infection): Denis has speech problems and cannot get
up, one of his arms is not functioning well. Denis is working with
massage therapists and a speech therapist.
