Hello!
My name is Irina Golubovskaya, and my only son's name is Alexander.
We are from Tver. In January 2006, at the Regional Children's hospital in
Tver, Sasha was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was only 15 years
old then. Many days and weeks of treatment began. It was very difficult, with
strict diet and hormonal therapy. The hormones led to severe depression: Sasha
began keeping to himself and avoiding contact with his classmates. For the 9th,
10th and 11th grades Sasha was homeschooled. The books and doctors became his
best friends. They helped him to stay strong and finally overcome the disease.
At about two years after the start of treatment, Sasha was taken off chemotherapy
in February 2008.
Unfortunately, in December 2008 Sasha had a relapse. It was a shock that was
even harder to take than the first one. We thought the disease will never come
back, and we truly believed it. Everything started all over again. Sasha was
transferred to the adult unit of Hematology hospital as he already turned 18.
Once he completed the 6-week re0induction course (in June-July 2009), we were
told that the only chance to save Sasha is bone marrow transplantation. Since
this treatment is very expensive and lengthy, I would like to ask all those who
want help us to respond. I am a single mother, and we have been on treatment
for the last 4 years. We have no one to help us.
Thank you in advance!
Update as of January 10, 2010.
On November 27th Alexander underwent transplantation from his
mother. His blood counts have risen somewhat, but still unstable.
Sasha suffers from hemorrhagic cystitis.
Update as of January 22, 2010.
Sasha has problems with his liver. He was prescribed Ribavirin.
Update as of February 9, 2010.
The doctors will again harvest my stem cells for Sasha, because
even though he has complete chimerism, there are not enough cells.
This causes low blood counts. Sasha is still at the hospital.
Sasha's mom
Update as of February 20, 2010.
On February 11 Sasha had his mother's cells transplanted. Sasha is not
feeling well: he is very weak and had a nosebleed a while ago. Sasha is
so weak he cannot even go online even though Internet has always distracted
him. He spends all the time in bed. We are expecting the effects of the
treatment.
Sasha's mother
Update as of March 26, 2010.
Sasha is still at the hospital. After the first infusion of cells from
his mother, there was no improvement. On March 17th he had a second infusion.
Sasha has skin GVHD and he receives hormonal therapy. He feels better,
but is very tired from being treated for a long time.
Update as of April 30, 2010.
Sasha had second transplantation. He does not feel well.
