Other Ksenia's photos

Hello,
My name is Ksenia. I was born 22 years ago at the high bank of t he Amur River in Khabarovsk. I had a happy childhood with my loving parents...
In spring of the year I turned six, my father died. Since that time, I had more bad moments in my life than the good ones. I started having severe pains in my stomach, such pains that I could not sleep at night. The doctors suggested many things… It turned out that my spine was curving. And a few more years later a new, frightening diagnosis was written in my medical history: spinal tumor. In all sectors of my spinal cord. In defiance of common sense, there were no symptoms - I walked and ran as usual. Even the pains, that often accompany tumors, were not there. But MRI results insisted that there were spinal tumors. However, I was not concerned about my diagnosis but had a regular kid's life and hated the hospitals with their cockroaches and smell of Clorox.
Three years later I started limping and got a slight drag of my right leg when I walked. It was decided that I will study at home during my sixth school year. I hoped it was a temporary measure. I needed to have the hope that I will return to school and I didn't expect that I would not return to school or postpone the University education for an indeterminate length of time.
It was getting harder and harder for me to walk. The scoliosis was progressing.
We moved to Voronezh. I celebrated coming of age there. However, I had difficulty in getting accustomed to the new climate. In just a few years my spine got much worse, I could not sit without a support, could not stand up at all, and could not take a deep breath as my internal organs were compressed. I knew that with time, it will be difficult for my heart and other organs to work, but I tried not to think about it.
The Internet, if you know how to use it, is very helpful! I wrote to many hospitals and understood that I would not find any help in Russia. Then I read an article about a girl who had a severe spinal scoliosis too. The story said that Orton Clinic in Finland, which has been performing the most complicated surgeries for many years, agreed to help her. A metal insert would be implanted into her spinal cord to straighten it out. I was very happy for her, as I understood that this metal thing in her body will give her a chance to live! I immediately contacted her doctor by e-mail, described my situation in detail, answered all his questions, and finally heard "yes, the operation is possible!" I only needed to undergo an examination that would give the final answer.
At last, my long-awaited trip for examination took place, my first trip abroad. I am grateful to everyone who helped me with money, advice or just kind words!
The long road to the unknown worried me. I was afraid that the thin thread of hope may tear down.
When we left home, it was snowing heavily. There was a long road ahead of us: we had to reach St. Petersburg and take Allegro speed train from there. And then we finally arrived to Helsinki's main train station. We spent a night in the hotel and in the morning we went to the clinic. The examination started after breakfast. When I was being x-rayed, the famous Dr. Dietrich came in with a smile on his face. My Mom greeted him and asked me in a whisper who he was! I found it amusing. It seemed to me that her intuition had to tell her that it was a person we relied upon at that moment, who could, with God's help, change our lives for the better.
At the end of the day I spoke to the doctor. I had to recall my whole my life and even my ancestors. There was even a question what I expected from the operation. I was surprised as the answer was evident - I expected that my physical condition would be better, as well as the quality of my life overall. Behind these often used words is my whole destiny, if you think about it.
So the doctor's approval was received, and that was already a miracle. Now we have to raise 14,000 euros for hip joints replacement operation (due to my lengthy lack of movement, they fused) and 38,200 euros for the operation that will straighten my spine. An incredible amount of money. My Mom and I will never be able to raise it by ourselves. We make our ends meet with my disability pension that is 5700 rubles. My Mom cannot work as she has to be always by my side, and for that she receives extra 1200 rubles.
And here we are: we have a hope but we do not have money. Please help me raise the money! My whole life will be changed. I will always remember the kindness of strangers whom I asked for help. And I will try to return it many times more.

Best regards,
Ksenia Yakovenko
Home address:
Mordasova str., d. 9, kv 13,
Voronezh, 394005, Russia
Contact phones:
+7 (920) 462-53-79 (Irina, Ksenia's mother)
+7 (920) 462-71-27 (Ksenia)

Invoice for the hip joint replacement
Invoice for the spinal cord straightening surgery
MRI
Medical conclusion

Update as of March 3, 2011. Predanie charity paid for my first operation! I am very grateful to them! In the next few days I will got for a dental checkup and buy the air tickets.
Ksenia

Update as of April 8, 2011. Tomorrow we are leaving for Helsinki. The first operation is to take place on April 12.
Ksenia

Update as of April 26, 2011. I am back home. The operation went well. I am recovering, and still feel a bit weak.
Ksenia

Update as of June 6, 2011. Hello, everyone! The recovery after the operation was not easy, that is why I only now feel well enough to write a report. After the hip joints were operated I can now lie down on my back and my abdomen. I was not able to do that before, as I could only lie in fetal position.
God bless you, people, who helped my life change so much! The second surgery is to take place in October, and I hope that the required amount will be raised by then.
That operation is my only chance to live. I look forward to it with excitement and trepidation. I hope for your help. I am happy to know that I was not left alone to face my huge and insurmountable problem. It is only insurmountable when a person is all alone.
I am helped by Predanie charity, at its website you can find all donations they received. AdVita fund placed information about me at its site, and Miloserdie fund published an article about me.
That is why I do hope that my dream will come true, the dream that seemed to be impossible earlier.
New photos
Ksenia

Update as of August 5, 2011. Only two months are left before the second operation is scheduled. As of today, we need over 600,000 rubles. Please help!
Ksenia

Update as of September 8, 2011. Hello! It is just a month left before surgery! My condition is worsening and I need to have the operation as soon as possible. It would also be incredibly difficult to travel when the weather is cold and I need to wear heavy winter clothes - it is hard for me and my mom who has to carry me and all our luggage. Please help!
Respectfully, Ksenia

Update as of October 20, 2011. The funds needed for the surgery have been raised! We only need to raise an additional 1,000 euros for the medical examination.
33,800 euros have been donated by the Predanie fund, the Unicredit bank promised to donate 144,000 roubles, and Avtotorgbank intends to cover travel expenses.
The surgery has been scheduled for November 8. Thank you very much for your help!
Kind regards, Ksenia

Update as of December 10, 2011. It has been a month since operation. It flew by quickly. I waited for this surgery for many years, and it is hard to believe it had happened. I was on a very difficult road that I would not have been able to finish by myself. Once again - THANK YOU everyone for helping me! I don't know everyone's names, but I am sure these are kind and caring people. They saved me.
The surgery lasted 5.5 hours. According to the doctors, everything went well and on a schedule. When I woke up in ICU after anesthesia wore off, one of the first people I saw was Dr. Dietrich. I smiled at him, but not sure how it came out, as I was not quite myself yet. The next day I was transferred to a regular room which made me very happy. After a few more days I was asked to sit down. It was a key moment, although I was scared. The first thing I felt was acute pain in my muscles. Then I relaxed a little and started looking around. I sat strangely tall and even and my spine was not folding down as it used to.
On the 5th minute, when I was already shining with happiness, my physical therapist said it was enough for the day. I started sitting several times every day, increasing duration every time, and lying down when my head would start spinning from fatigue. I also learned what it meant to be black in the eyes from pain. When I was lying down, everything was great, but as soon as I would sit down... These were a matter of a workout, however, and I can get through this. The most important thing is that my spine is now safely strengthened and it will not curve again. The doctor did a very good job!
After 10 days at the clinic, I returned home. I am still fatigued, although pain had subsided quite a bit. After six months I will need to return to the clinic for control tests.
Respectfully,
Ksenia

Update as of January 7, 2012. Hello! Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope you are always surrounded by good people, like those that I meet! Most importantly, keep your faith in God even in most seemingly hopeless situations!
Now about my health... I feel great! I already went outside a couple of times. My muscles are still weak, and my wheelchair is too wide for me now. The trips are difficult as I have to hold on with my hands so as not to slide around and fall out. My spine is fixed well with a contraption, so I don't need any special exercise. But I do want to achieve maximum independence and I may need to start going to a gym if I can find one that works for me.
I started studying English on my own, as now my dream of attending college became to appear achievable. One of the tests, most likely, will be on foreign language ability. I am writing this and still cannot believe that it is about me.
Once again, Merry Christmas!
Ksenia

Donate online >>>

Wire transfer to AdVita Charitable Foundation bank accounts

  * - Please specify your name and how we can keep in touch with you. We also need the letter from you with the following data: your full name (name of organization), address, phone (fax), goal of donation, date, signature (seal).
Please use on of the following applications: in russian, in english, in german.

** - If money amount are transfered by the third party we kindly ask you to show in the letter which firm would transfer the sum of money (by our request money transfer would be performed by firm....

If you would like to transfer money through Western Union, please contact site administrator.

If something wrong in the table above or you don't see reference on your donation, please keep in touch with site administrator.

If you would like to help us collect money for Ksenia's treatment, please e-mail to the site administrator and write your name, or company name, payment number, time and place of money transfer. This information will help us to account for money collection and inform you about every donation. Please don't forget to tell us about your donation. We need to make sure that every donation reaches its intended recipient.

Other Ksenia's photos

List of Patients

Search: