Hello dear friends,
I will tell you my story with the hope for your understanding and support. My
name is Natalia Nikitina. In January 2010 I turned 30. Practically all my life I
have been fighting to survive in this world…
When I was 5 years old, I was run over by a train. As a result, I lost my
legs. I spent a year at the hospital and then I was taken directly to the
orphanage, because my mother did not want to take me home – she was too scared…
I studied, sang, danced and was active in sports; I did everything I could,
everything that I wanted to do. I simply wanted to live to the fullest.
When I was 16, I came to St. Petersburg, where I started a new life and encountered
new challenges…
In 2002 I was referred to Albrecht Prosthetics Institute where I met my future
husband Aleksey. He is also disabled and has leg prostheses. In September 2002
we got married.
Very soon I got pregnant and my husband and I were enormously happy. We wanted
this child so much. It seemed all was going well, but…
The doctors refused to perform Cesarean section, as they thought I should be
able to give birth naturally (despite my vision of-8). There was no one near
me when I began giving birth…
My little girl was born on April 17, 2003… "Dead… not breathing… breathing…
no… to intensive care, quickly! Now let's save the mother…"
My Lida is now 6. She has mixed cerebral palsy, spastic tetraparesis. Until
now, she still does not talk, although she understands everything perfectly.
She cannot walk, although she wants to so much, and she cannot even feed herself
because she cannot control her hands.
In 2007 our family got a new little star – Katenka, Lidochka's little sister.
It was not unexpected, as we planned this pregnancy, like the first one. Katyusha
was just as wanted as Lidochka.
Katyusha goes to daycare now. She is already 2 years old. Two years of happiness…
But now I feel even more pain when I see Lida who cannot do all the things
her sister can. I want to do everything in my power to help her get better,
but unfortunately, our pensions are barely covering our daily needs… I managed
to get Lidochka accepted to Romanov Center and found her a nanny. I was hoping
that with help of caring people I will be able to do something to help my older
daughter. But then we got new problems.
I started having health issues. At first I thought the pain will go away. By
the end of February I realized I will not be able to tolerate pain anymore
and went to see the specialists. After the tests were done, it was discovered
that it was cancer that attacked me. I still have a hard time believing in
it and accepting that it is happening to me. I know that I have a very long
a difficult treatment ahead of me, but I need to get well, because I have
children who need me, especially Lidochka whom I cannot leave – she will die
without me around.
Recently I underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortunately, it did not
turn out the way I wanted – "cut it and forget it" – as the tumor
metastasized in my liver. I was diagnosed with moderately differentiated
adenocarcinoma of sigmoid intestine. I need to start chemotherapy urgently.
It can be done for free, but I have to wait in line – and every day of delay
counts in my condition.
As I understand, I will have to pay for some tests, and for starting treatment
sooner. Also, due to my illness, we will have to pay more to our nanny. It will
cost us at least 5,000 rubles a week. Our family is asking for your help!
Please support us!
Update as of April 6, 2010.
Today I went for a consultation at Petrov Oncology Research Institute.
I was referred for a more detailed liver testing to find out how much
damage is there and determine treatment strategy. It turned out that
liver metastases are difficult and risky to treat. Normally, medications
are injected via a catheter installed in an artery on a leg.
However, since I don't have legs, it complicates things.
The drugs can also be injected through an arm, but it can cause
complications and the doctor has to 200% sure that I need
this procedure.
I will have to pay for all the tests. Today we paid 600 rubles for an
ultrasound, and on April 14th I am scheduled for CT scan that
will cost 9,000 rubles.
I do have money to pay for these tests. Fortunately, good people
from a Peterburg's parents web forum donated 8,500 rubles to me.
And I was told that I will be able to undergo treatment under a quota.
Update as of May 4, 2010.
Natasha will be admitted for chemotherapy at Oncology clinic on Veteranov
Ave. on May 11. Due to lack of free beds, she will have to pay for her
hospital stay. It costs 1,000 rubles a day. Natasha will need to stay
there for at least 5 days. We will be grateful for your help.
Update as of May 12, 2010.
I am now at the Oncology Center on Veteranov prospect.
Tomorrow I will have IV drip started that will last two days.
I need to buy a flask for 1,700 rubles and two ampoules of
Emeset for 300 rubles.
Natasha
Update as of May 20, 2010.
I am already at home. The first chemotherapy cycle went well
(medical report).
Here is my report about my expenses:
Hospital room - 6,000 rubles,
Mildronate (1 box) - 279 rubles, need continuously,
Disposable 2-day flask - 1,700 rubles (for every cycle),
Emeset (2 ampoules) - 300 rubles (need to take during chemotherapy),
Wobenzym - 1,800 rubles, need continuously.
Several tests prior to hospitalization (12) - 2,300 rubles,
Liver ultrasound - 650 rubles,
Kidney ultrasound - 350 rubles.
My doctor said that they will receive a new medication soon and he
does not think I need to buy foreign medications at this time.
In the future all will depend on my general condition. In total, 6 to 9
cycle of therapy are planned.
Natasha
Update as of May 31, 2010.
I will be hospitalized for chemotherapy at
Oncology hospital at Pr. Veteranov again. Last week, our youngest was
sick. We bought medications for 1,058 rubles and I kept all receipts.
Also I bought medications for myself today for 3,541 rubles and I
have support for this expense. We are very grateful to everyone for
their help!
Natasha
Update as of June 17, 2010.
I am sorry for not writing in a while. I had many problems to deal with.
I am now undergoing the 3rd cycle and all is going well, but I am not
in a very good mood. All of this is not very pleasant, and now I have
problems with Katya. I am so tired... I have no energy. What a disaster!
Last week we took Katya to allergy specialist. We had to go to a private
doctor, because the one in our clinic is all booked until the end of
July, and I just cannot listen to her coughing so much, my heart
is breaking.
She was tested, and next week we will have results. We bought all the
medications that cost us 7,000 rubles. We have all the receipts.
Fortunately, this time I got a free room at the hospital, and only paid
for a flask (1,670 rubles).
I am scheduled for CT scan for next Friday. The doctors will see what
kind of response I had.
Natasha
Update as of June 24, 2010.
I am very grateful for your help. I'd like to thank all our supporters
and wish them great health! On Friday I will try to report on
the test results.
I will also take Katya to a doctor on Friday. She has a very hard
time sleeping. She coughs so badly that it seems she will cought out
her intestines at any time. She coughs and
cries: "I really want to sleep!"
Natasha
Update as of July 27, 2010.
On July 23 I was discharged after another chemotherapy cycle. Thank God, I
feel well, except for some fatigue. The doctor said that I will need two
more cycles, and if everything goes just as well, the operation will
get scheduled.
On July 25th I had CT scan that showed improvement.
This is great news.
We are continuing Katya's treatment and she is getting better. On
July 31 she has an appointment and it will be decided what therapy
she will need in the future.
Natasha
Update as of September 6, 2010.
I am forwarding my latest clinical summary with great news: complete remission! Fortunately,
now the surgery is no longer considered, although two more chemotherapy cycles are scheduled.
Natasha
Update as of October 1, 2010.
Unfortunately, the 8th chemotherapy cycle did not happen.
My body was against it, and I felt very unwell. It was decided to cancel it.
Maybe it was not necessary. But now I feel great and I am ready to
focus on Lida's treatment.
On October 4th we will go to Evpatoria.
I will send you our photos upon return.
Natasha
Update as of November 6, 2010.
We just got back from Eupartoria. The weather did not cooperate,
but we still enjoyed the salty sea air. For Lida it was a real
vacation and she is very happy and satisfied with the trip.
We are continuing to take her to Romanov center and work with
a speech pathologist. Our little Katya, however, is having some
issues with her GI and kidneys, so we will take her to a doctor
on Monday. She keeps complaining of pains in her stomach, genitals
and buttocks, and she frequently uses bathroom. I am very
concerned about this. We will have to pay for the visit,
because we'd have to wait 1.5-2 months for a free specialist.
If we wait this long, something else could go wrong, and
considering my diagnosis, I do not have the luxury of time.
I am really worried... These are our photos from the visit to the sea.
As far as my examination, I was scheduled for November 12, but
last week I got a call and was told that the machine is broken
and it will be out of service for two months. So I would have
to look for a place where I can pay to have CT scan done - and
it costs 10,000 rubles. Next week I will see my
family doctor about this.
Natasha
Update as of November 25, 2010.
I had CT scan, which cost me 6,000 rubles. I found a clinic that
give discount to disabled. On Monday I will go to the Oncology Clinic
and show them results, but as far as I understood, there is no progression.
Thank God!
Katya was examined and told us to contact nephrologist. However, neither
nephrologist nor GI specialist found anything of concern. She is,
unfortunately, sick again and we stay at home. Once she gets well, we
will continue examinations.
Lidochka is doing well. She takes classes and enjoys it. She also gets
a visit from her teacher at home 3 times a week, so she is really happy.
Natasha
Update as of November 30, 2010.
On Monday I went to Oncology hospital and showed them my CT scan results.
It turned out that I am not doing that well again and I was referred for
additional tests: MRI on December 16th and a visit to gynecologist on
Thursday for a biopsy.
Katya is still sick with cold. Lidochka is getting visits from a teacher.
They are learning numbers, letters, colors and shapes. And she gets
visits from a speech pathologist (not covered by insurance, of course).
It costs us 500 rubles a lesson and it is not that expensive for our area.
She is working on helping Lidochka start talking. Lida already learned
to chew, and I do not need to make her purees in the blender anymore
as she tries to chew herself. It takes longer, of course, but she can do it!
Natasha
Update as of December 23, 2010.
Katya got seriously sick. For three days her temperature was 39.9C and
we tried two different antibiotics. She is now much better. Then
Lidochka got sick and I was really worn out with my own examinations.
The girls from LittleOne forum helped me raise money for MRI very quickly,
I did not even expect it. I am very grateful to them! The results are,
unfortunately, not very good.
Today I was at Oncology hospital at Veteranov ave. from where I was
referred for gynecology evaluation at Berezovaya Alley. It is really
overcrowded, but I managed to be seen and was finally scheduled for
a surgery on January 19th.
After the surgery I am planned to undergo a second-line chemotherapy.
Natasha
Update as of March 23, 2011.
I returned from Urals on March 17th after leaving Ludochka with her
nanny on therapy. From the train station, I went to the hospital right
away. The test results showed that the expensive drug I was taking did
not help, but the doctors found another solution.
On March 21 I started chemotherapy and today I am being discharged.
I am not in the best condition, but it is not the most important
thing right now. The main hope is that treatment will work. I am
enormously grateful to everyone who is caring, helping and supporting us.
Wishing you good health!
Natasha
Update as of May 25, 2011.
Natasha completed three cycles of chemotherapy and had control tests.
The results are not yet ready. Natasha feels relatively well.
Update as of June 7, 2011.
CT scan results, compared to February data, are significantly worse.
The number of metastases tripled. Since chemotherapy did not work
for Natasha, further treatment is under discussion.
Update as of August 15, 2011.
All the images, old and new, including CT of chest and abdomen,
were forwarded for a consultation in Germany, and a new
treatment plan may be offered.
Update as of September 20, 2011.
The German doctors looked at my images and recommended me to repeat
CT scan after 3 months (a month ago). Based on results, liver surgery
may still be an option.
I am now taking Katya for examination and therapy. In fall she began
having some problems again.
Lidochka is at school in Ural region. I call her teachers every other day.
She is doing well and does not cry. Everyone compliments her - she is
such a good girl, quiet, kind, and quick to smile. Lida eats well and
got used to her bed. She sleeps well now.
Once I take care of Katya, I will go to see Lidochka and bring
her warm clothes. The school gives local kids clothes, but since we
are residents of St. Petersburg we have to provide her ourselves.
Thank you very much for your help. Good bless you. Take care of yourself.
Natasha
Update as of October 13, 2011.
At 7 a.m. today I arrived in St. Petersburg.
Lida is going fine in the Urals region, thank God. She likes
everything there, so I left with a light heart.
Next time we will visit her in December to bring over her stroller.
Next week I plan to have CT done. Will inform you of the results once
I have them.
Natasha
Update as of January 20, 2012.
Natasha in now in St. Petersburg. She plans to leave around February 3rd
to see her daughter Lidochka in Urals and help her adjust to new conditions.
Natasha will lease her apartment in St. Petersburg.
In December 2011 Natasha had CT scan. Unfortunately, disease is progressing.
The old lesions grew, and multiple new lesions appeared. Nevertheless,
Natasha feels OK, although she takes analgesics at times. For Christmas,
the whole family went to see Lidochka.
Beneficiary:
Non-Profit Organization
"AdVita Charitable Foundation"
acc. 40703840712001000468 Beneficiary Bank:
JSC Bank Otkritie, Moscow
SWIFT: RUDL RU MM
For Petrovskiy branch,
St.Petersburg
SWIFT: RUDL RU M1PET Adress of Beneficiary Bank:
191186, Saint-Petersburg Russia,
Nevsky pr. 26
Correspondent Bank #1:
Bank of New York Mellon,
New York, USA
SWIFT: IRVT US 3N Correspondent Account No:
8901003069
Correspondent Bank #2:
JP Morgan Chase Bank,
New York, USA
SWIFT: CHAS US 33 Correspondent Account No:
822839205
*,**
Beneficiary:
Non-Profit Organization
"AdVita Charitable Foundation"
acc. 40703978312001000468 Beneficiary Bank:
JSC Bank Otkritie, Moscow
SWIFT RUDL RU MM
For Petrovskiy branch,
St.Petersburg
SWIFT RUDL RU M1PET Adress of Beneficiary Bank:
191186, Saint-Petersburg Russia,
Nevsky pr. 26
Correspondent Bank #1:
Deutsche Bank AG,
SWIFT: DEUT DE FF Correspondent Account No:
9477134
Correspondent Bank #2:
Commerzbank AG,
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
SWIFT: COBA DE FF Correspondent Account No:
400886482900
*,**
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