Hello!
I am the mother of a kind and sweet little girl.
On February 11 Katya only turned 6 years old.
My daughter has always been a amazingly healthy child.
She had an inquisitive mind, a fun-loving character and a
kind heart. My happiness and her grandma's joy.
When Katya began to have headaches and nausea I could not
even imagine what a nightmare that could come to be. Within just 2
days a cheerful and communicative girl took to bed and stopped
talking and eating. At 4 a.m. I had to call the ambulance.
On September 29, 2008 Katya had an ultrasound as well as CT and MRI.
With each examination my heart was dying with fear and despair.
That same day the doctors told me that my girl had a brain tumor
and needed a complicated surgery.
Katya's father left us. I found out that instead of helping and
supporting us he was getting ready for a wedding and had
no time for us.
On October 16, 2008 Katya had a surgery. 6.5 hours of agonizing
suspense and fear for my dearest one on earth, until I finally
heard that the surgery was successful. But complications could
not be avoided. Katya's right arm and leg stopped functioning.
She had to learn many things from scratch, including learning
to walk. But at that time it seemed that the worst was behind us.
Then there were histology results which changed our life forever.
The tumor turned out to be malignant!
On November 10, 2008 we were transferred to City Hospital 31, the
diagnosis being primitive neuroectodermal tumor of thalamus with
metastases in lower thoracic and lumbar spinal cord.
After 12 chemotherapy blocks and 35 radiation therapy sessions
we heard the long awaited news: the tumor and metastases were
gone completely!
But the happiness did not last long. 1.5 months later Katya was
diagnosed with a relapse. Another surgery had to be performed.
On March 22, 2010 Katya found herself in City Hospital 31 again
with metastases in spinal and cerebral brain tunic. During the 1.5
years of a complicated treatment course I lost my job.
Now we have to start all over again. When I hear the doctors
pessimistic prognosis about my daughter's recovery chances being
only 20% I lose my heart. It is only the faith in God and an
infinite love for my little daughter that give me strength.
When I see how this little one struggles for her life in spite
of the doctor's prognosis I become strong again and believe
that we can overcome.
There is another issue that makes our struggle even more
complicated: I am a single mother, and I spend some 5,000-7,000
roubles on Katya every month. That is what we need to buy food
and drugs which we have to acquire on our own
(Maxipime, Amikacin).
Please help us with that, and God bless you and
your families with good health!
Victoria, Katya's mother
Update as of April 30, 2010.
Katya and her grandmother were allowed to stay at home until May 5. We
are sincerely grateful to St. Petersburg's Parents web forum for support
of this family.
Update as of May 24, 2010.
Katya was prescribed 3-week course of Vepeside. She is tolerating it well.
Katya takes it at home and she comes to the hospital only for control
tests. After the course she will have three-week break.
Katyusha is feeling much stronger and she is in a good mood. She has
appetite and gained 1.6 kg. Katya can also walk better.
Update as of August 11, 2010.
Katya's condition worsened. She is now looked after by hospice specialists.
