Hello!
My name is Azamat Sharipbaevich Razhapov. My son's name is Sherzodbek, he is
12 years old. We came to St. Petersburg from Uzbekistan.
In February 2009 when we still lived in Uzbekistan my son had a surgery to
remove appendicitis. Then his temperature started rising to 39C. For a month,
it was rising then lowering. The doctors could not get it under control. Only
a month later, they took my son's blood for a test and he was diagnosed with
acute leukemia. Sherzodbek underwent several courses of chemotherapy, but there
was not much effect. The treatment did not work. My son's condition was getting
worse; he lost appetite and started having pains. The hospital lacked appropriate
medications. We were told that we cannot be helped any more by doctors in
Uzbekistan.
Then we sent Sherzodbek's test results to a diagnostic center in St. Petersburg.
Once we received a response that Sherzodbek has a chance to recover, we decided
to travel to St. Petersburg and try to save our son. However, we faced a serious
problem: the treatment would be lengthy and expensive. Unfortunately, Uzbekistan's
Department of Social Development refused to pay for it. Still, we decided to
take a risk and came to St. Petersburg. On September 14th Sherzodbek was admitted
to Municipal hospital No.31 in a very serious condition. My son's leg was
swollen; he had serious pains and could barely move. The doctors told us that
if we came a week later, Sherzodbek's leg would have to be amputated. Thanks
to Margarita Belogurova and Sherzodbek's treating doctor, Tatiana Victorovich,
our son's leg was saved. He already started walking and the pains started to
go away. Sherzodbek got his appetite back. We want to thank the doctors very
much!
Our relatives raised 250,000 rubles for the first course of treatment, but this
will not be enough. We are asking for your help, as Sherzodbek has a real chance
to survive.
Please help us save our son! Thank you in advance.
Azamat Razhapov,
Sherzodbek's father
Update as of October 19, 2009.
We would like to express enormous gratitude to AdVita fund, and Elena
Gratcheva personally, as well as all other people who are helping children
with oncological diseases. Thank you for your care for people in need. Thanks
to you, our son has an opportunity to continue treatment. Since we ran out
of money after the first course of therapy and weren't able to raise enough
money for the second course, we thought we would have to return home, but
I could not bring myself to tell this to my son. Sherzоd's condition is
now improving and on October 19th he will start the second round of therapy,
which will be more difficult, but the doctors have told us that if the
treatment is uninterrupted, Sherzad will be able to get well. Unfortunately,
he still needs 9 more courses of chemotherapy. We still have hope. Our
appeal to you is our souls' cry. Once again, thank you very much!
Update as of December 13, 2009.
Sherzodbek recovered after a round of chemotherapy and started the 4th block.
His condition is normal and he is in a good mood. Despite chemotherapy, he
has good appetite.
Update as of December 27, 2009.
December 13 marked the end of the 4th chemotherapy block. Sherzodbek's
blood counts are low (leukocyte, platelet and hemoglobin counts have
dropped) so he is staying in the ward all the time. Many thanks to
the Schastlivy Mir fund for covering part of Sherzodbek's treatment costs.
Update as of January 10, 2010.
During the last chemotherapy cycle, Sherzodbek's mucous tissues were
seriously damaged, but now his condition is gradually improving and
blood counts are growing. He was taken off antibiotics.
The next week, his doctors plan to administer the 5th cycle
of chemotherapy.
Update as of January 26, 2010.
Sherzodbek is nearing the end of the 5th cycle and then he will
start radiation therapy. He feels well, except his temperature
rises once in a while. Sherzodbek comes to the game room often
to play computer games, play with kids, draw and make clay figures.
Update as of February 5, 2010.
Sherzodbek's blood counts are low. He feels unwell and weak and
has no appetite. He does not leave the room and sleeps most of the time.
Update as of February 15, 2010.
Sherzodbek is at the intensive care unit. He was receiving
antibiotics and an antifungal drug Amphotericin, to which he
did not react well (he had fever and chills).
Today he feels better, the temperature has been normal for
the last two days, and he even eats by himself a little.
The doctors canceled all antibiotics, and Sherzodbek
receives glucose only.
Update as of February 20, 2010.
The fifth and last chemotherapy course which is also the hardest one is
now over, radiation therapy is next, but Sherzodbek has serious complications:
fungal sepsis. He urgently needs Vfend!
Update as of February 28, 2010.
Sherzod is feeling a little better and his temperature is normal
already. He still needs Vfend, but was taken off Neupogen because
his leukocyte count increased. As soon as lumbar puncture results
are ready, a decision regarding radiation therapy will be made.
Update as of March 7, 2010.
Sherzodbek feels well. He started radiation therapy in parallel with
Cytosar therapy. He had two radiation sessions already. Sherzodbek
goes for radiation by foot and enjoys the walks. We are sincerely
grateful to Svet fund for agreeing to pay for radiation therapy for
the boy.
Advita Fund still pays for Sherzodbek treatment at City hospital
No.31 and Vfend supply.
Update as of March 14, 2010.
Sherzodbek feels rather well. He is completing radiation therapy and there
is only one procedure left. Afterwards, he will have a lumbar puncture, and
then two more punctures, week later, and two weeks later. After completing
radiation therapy, Sherzod will need to go for CT scan that is estimated
to cost 13,600 rubles.
He is not taken off Vfend yet, and will also need to take Purinethol and
6MP for a year. His family needs financial support.
Update as of March 26, 2010.
Based on CT scan results, Sherzodbek is doing well. Vfend was canceled
and he now has only one more chemotherapy cycle, followed by lumbar puncture,
after which the main course of treatment will be completed. Sherzod will
only take maintenance therapy in pills (6MP and Purinethol). He is being
discharged for outpatient monitoring.
Update as of April 18, 2010.
Sherzodbek's father is very grateful to
everyone who has helped their family. Sherzod is doing well and he is in a
great mood.
Update as of July 3, 2010.
Unfortunately, Sherzodbek had a relapse which is progressing rapidly. His
father decided to bring him home. They need help with buying air tickets.
