Another Grisha's photo

Hello!
At the beginning of April 2008 my son Grisha Barchenko got sick. His temperature rose to 38C, he had headaches and his throat was red. We went for help to Novodevyatkinsky clinic, where our son was diagnosed with an acute respiratory illness. Due to this incorrect diagnosis and inappropriate treatment, son's condition worsened. He started suffering from periodic strong pains in his shoulder, knee and pelvic joints, as well as in his spine and neck. Then we went to Toksovsky hospital, where our son got no help at all. He only received a referral to a neuropathologist and the same diagnosis of acute respiratory illness. The neuropathologist who was located in a town of Kuzmolovo was very attentive to our questions and tried to help us for a whole day with referral of Grisha for testing at Vsevolzhsky hospital. However, our son was refused hospitalization and testing despite his continuing symptoms (pains and high temperature).
On May 25th, at night, our son had severe pain in his pelvic joint and seizures in his legs. Then we took Grisha to the closest trauma center in St. Petersburg (at Komsomola Str. 14). The doctors were very sensitive and caring. After hearing our story, they recommended us going to Pediatric Academy at Litovskaya Str. We went there and Grisha was admitted for testing without delay and without a referral.
At the Institute, Grisha was preliminarily diagnosed with leukemia based on his symptoms. However, the tests did not confirm it. Then on June 17th he had a bone marrow puncture, the results of which did confirm the diagnosis. The next day, Grisha was transferred to Children's hospital No.1 in St. Petersburg where he had more testing and the diagnosis was corrected as acute leukemia.
Grisha started receiving treatment (injections and drips), and his condition improved. His pains are gone and he can walk again. He completed the first chemotherapy block. Our family's financial situation does not allow us buying expensive medication for supporting therapy. Only Grisha's father works at this time, because I have to stay with my son at the hospital. My sick leave is unpaid because my son is already 16 and not considered a child. Our grandparents are unable to help us too. Please help us with paying for expensive medications, tests and other expenses. We will be very grateful to everyone who responds.
We live in a wooded area at the territory of an army unit No. 34391 located near Novo-Devyatkino, and we cannot receive anything by mail.

Natalia Barchenko.
Home address:
197760, Kronshtadt,
ul. Posadskaya d. 26 kv. 19
Alexander Barchenko.
Contact phones:
+7 (905) 284-57-71 (Grisha's mom)
+7 (911) 233-91-39 (Grisha)

Bill for the donor search in Germany
Medical report

Update as of December 20, 2008. We are undergoing the first mini-block. Due to high doses of Dexamethasone, Grisha seems a different person, I barely recognize him. However, knowing that this is the last stage of treatment gives me strength, faith and patience. Grisha now needs antifungal drug, Fluconazole. Please help us financially or emotionally. We are very grateful to everyone who is helping us!
Grisha's mom

Update as of January 12, 2009. Grisha completed all the high-dosage chemotherapy blocks. Only mini-blocks are left now. Hurray! We are alive!
We stay mostly at home now. Grisha sees his friends; he laughs with them, goes out and plays soccer, which is an integral part of his life. We are very grateful to AdVita fund for the help! You make it easier for us! It is nice to know in our situation that you will be helped and not left unnoticed. Sometimes, it is even more important than medicine. We are particularly grateful to the fund's volunteer Dmitry!
Grisha's mom

Update as of February 13, 2009. After the second mini-block Grisha developed complications, including fungal infection, and was prescribed Diflucan. He then finished the third mini-block that lasted a week. Grisha's blood counts dropped, and the fourth mini-block is being postponed. The boy has stayed at the hospital for a month now, and he is feeling down and misses his home.
Grisha's mom

Update as of June 3, 2009. Grisha completed main course of treatment and is now on supporting therapy. He is in remission regarding his main illness. Grisha takes Purinethol and periodically comes for blood tests to Children's hospital No.1. Soon the school year will be over and Grisha will have more time for playing and talking to his friends. We are enormously grateful to all the people with kind and responsive hearts for their help.
Grisha's mom

Update as of October 27, 2009. Grisha is studying at home at the 11th grade level program. However, he really wants to go to school, like his classmates rather than stay at home in isolation. He is constantly asking his mother why he cannot go to school even though he is feeling well and was discharged from the hospital, especially since this is the last school year.
Grisha is on maintenance therapy and he takes Purinethol and Methotrexate in pills. Grisha's blood counts had come down somewhat now (platelets and leukocytes), although hemoglobin level is normal. During maintenance therapy, his blood counts drop further than before. Due to that, he has not been able to go for the second puncture.
On December 5th Grisha will turn 18 and he will be transferred to the hospital for adults. Grisha's mom really wants to find out if they can complete treatment at the pediatric unit, and if yes - what do they have to do. They would have a difficulty with paying for the tests, because the family is experiencing hard times financially.

Update as of January 27, 2010. Grisha was operated due to peritonitis at one of the surgical clinics in State Medical University. He still has fever, although he tested negative for fungal and other infections. Grisha's family is in a difficult financial situation. They need help with paying for living expenses, such as food and current medications.

Update as of February 28, 2010. Grisha is at the hospital where he is undergoing chemotherapy. Under the new protocol, he will need to receive four more cycles of chemotherapy, and then (after tests), possibly two more. In addition, Grisha receives Cancidas.
The family's financial situation is still very difficult. Grisha's mom has to stay with him around the clock. In addition, they had to pay for many medications and tests to determine the reason for the high temperature (at Mycology Institute, Pasteur Institute and Helix Clinic). Please support this family.

Update as of March 3, 2010. Based on post-operative histologic study results, Grisha was diagnosed with secondary lymphoma. It may have been provoked by re-activated Epstein-Barr virus. He is still in remission in regards to leukemia. Grisha is now undergoing chemotherapy at R. Gorbacheva Pediatric Hematology & Transplantology Institute. Under the new protocol, he will need to complete four more cycles, and after the tests, possibly, two more. In addition, Grisha receives Cancidas.
His family's financial situation is still very difficult. Grisha's mom has to stay with him around the clock. In addition, they had to pay for many medications and tests to find the reason behind Grisha's fever (at Mycology Institute, Pasteur Institute and Helix Clinic).
Please support Grisha's family

Update as of March 30, 2010. Grisha completed the second anti-relapse chemotherapy course. He is responding to the therapy and is planned to receive four courses of treatment.

Update as of April 21, 2010. Grisha was referred for bone marrow transplantation from an unrelated donor. The donor search requires 15,000 euros, and the delivery of transplant to St. Petersburg will cost 2,500 euros.
Medical opinion

Update as of May 19, 2010. We are sincerely grateful to Happy World fund who joined the fund raising effort for Grisha. Unfortunately, his mother was hospitalized due to a stroke after distress of the recent months. This family really needs help.

Update as of August 11, 2010. A donor for Grisha was found, but his parents refused transplantation. The money spent on the donor search (5,000 euros) will not be returned, and the 10,000 euros donated by Happy World Fund will be re-addressed. Grisha is now at home. He is in remission, but has intestinal problems, based on a preliminary diagnosis they are caused by ulcerous colitis. He also had intestinal biopsy, but the results are not yet available.

Update as of November 3, 2010. Grisha is now at home. He is monitored at the day hospital and receives maintenance therapy with MabThera. He feels well.

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