Hello,
My name is Tatiana Gileva. I am 49 years old.
My life, like that of others who were diagnosed with cancer of any kind,
had suddenly divided into "before" and "after".
"Before" was the life filled with happiness, sorrow and joy…
All of us did not realize what a gift it was to simply live. And "after" –
it was the fight for life and the fight with our country’s administrative system.
In July 2006 I was diagnosed with cancer in left breast (T1N1M0) with metastasis
in a lymph node. I underwent Patey's operation on my left breast. The results of
immunohistochemistry were the following: Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma,
G30 malignancy degree, oncoprotein HER-2 (+++), hyperexpression.
I underwent four cycles of chemotherapy under CAF protocol and radiation
therapy in supraclavicular and sternal lymph nodes.
In all civilized world, patients with oncoprotein HER-2 (+++) are referred
for therapy with Herceptin, a drug made by Hoffman La Roche, Swiss firm.
Right after surgery, I was denied this therapy. When discussing this drug with
other cancer patients, I found out that it is very difficult to get this drug
in St. Petersburg, and practically impossible elsewhere in Russia, even though
it is included on the list of medications that are supposed to be provided
for free.
Therapy with Herceptin is recommended for patients with highly malignant breast
cancer (with hyperexpression of HER-2), at both metastatic stages of breast
cancer and in post-operative period after removal of the tumor found in early stages.
In May 2007 I was diagnosed with a relapse (in axillary lymph node). I decided to
fight for the right to get this medication. With other patients, we prepared
a joint letter. By all possible and impossible means we got through to the deputy
debates regarding drug provision in St. Petersburg. We had a chance to
read our letter and forward it to Lyudmila Kostkina, vice-governor of St.
Petersburg in charge of social issues.
I also contacted Oleg Sergeev, the head of St. Petersburg Health and Ecology
Commission. After all these trials and tribulations, I managed to get a year's
worth supply of Herceptin. And until I was taking it, all was going well.
I had no cancer, all was clear.
However, three months after I was taken off the drug, in December 2008, I
had another relapse in S2 of right lung, with metastasis 15 x 14. Bifurcational
lymph nodes were enlarged. And I started a chain of ineffective chemotherapy
treatments.
As of now, at the control examination during CT scan I was found to have
enlarged neoplasm in S2 of right lung, appearance of five large lesion in
liver ranging from 1 cm to 4.5 cm, and three new lesions in my spine.
The MRI results showed a metastasis in the left frontal lobe in my brain (0.5 cm)
and perifocal inflammation 1.5 cm.
My last chance is to undergo therapy with Herceptin again. I asked several
times at Municipal Oncology hospital to prescribe me this drug, but was denied
every time. I was told quite simply that I already took it before.
When I went for a consultation with Prof. Semiglazov at Petrov Oncology Research
Institute, he prescribed me the drug… but the hospital does not have it in stock.
So I had to come to AdVita fund, or to be exact, to you, dear supporters,
with my problem. Herceptin therapy costs 71,000 rubles a month. I cannot afford it.
And if I don't start this therapy soon, the disease may become unstoppable.
Please help me! I already did everything I could. During my whole illness, I
tried to swim against the current. I now can only do one thing: take a deep
breath and ask you for help. I really want to live and I have a chance to
survive. Without you, I will not be able to use it. Please help!
Respectfully,
Tatiana Gileva
Update as of August 5, 2010.
Tatiana was enrolled into a clinical trial in Italy that includes
radioimmunotherapy with a novel antibody followed by external brain radiation.
The trial covers all the expenses, except for travel and lodging in Italy
for at least 5 weeks.
Update as of September 20, 2010.
Based on diagnostic injection results, Tatiana was not enrolled in a clinical trial in Italy,
as medication is not accumulating in the tumor. She will undergo radiation of a brain
metastasis and then will repeat a diagnostic injection.
Update as of October 18, 2010:.
Tatiana did not have a good uptake of one of the radioimmunotherapy antobodies,
but another one was accumulating well by the tumor sites. She already returned
home after the therapy. Tatiana will have daily blood tests to monitor her
condition, and in 8 weeks she will have PET imaging study.
