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Hello!
My name is Tatiana Shushmarchenko. My son's name is Vitaly, he is 12. On June 23, 2008 our child got sick, he had a fever for a week, so we had to see a doctor. We had blood counts done and right after that we were sent to the hematology unit in Nizhnevartovsk.
My son was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, B2-B3 immunological type, Ph-positive. He was administered high dose chemotherapy. The treatment had to be followed by a bone marrow transplantation, so we were transferred to St. Petersburg.
We came here from the town of Raduzhny in the Tyumen Region of the Nizhnevartovsk District.
15,000 euros for the donor search were allotted by the Governor of the Khanty-Mansiisk Okrug, and we are very grateful to him for that. Another 1,000 euros we managed to raise ourselves, and the AdVita fund gave us 1,500 euros. I would also like to thank the inhabitants of Raduzhny who took part in fund raising and raised 200,000 roubles for us. This money was spent on radiation therapy and the matching procedure. Thank you all so much for your help! On February 11 bone marrow transplantation was performed at the Raisa Gorbacheva Institute of Children's Hematology and Transplantology.
Vitaly is a kind-hearted, calm and optimistic boy. He is fond of computer games and loves to play with his younger brother. Before he got sick he did boxing for a year, and strived to be the first in everything he did. Now he understands that sports are out of the question for him so far, but he does believe that he will become a boxer once he overcomes his disease.
After the transplantation the boy is feeling fine, he began to eat and put on weight.
But we have a problem: we need drugs. The doctor canceled Vfend which the AdVita fund had been acquiring for us and prescribed Orungal and Entocort. Those drugs are expensive, and Vitaly has to take them for a long time. Please help us, for we will not be able to cope on our own.

Tatiana, mother
Contact phone:
+7 (911) 783-36-17

Update as of May 27, 2010. Based on the planned test results, the percentage of donor's bone marrow decreased, so Vitaly received donor's lymphocyte infusions. Unfortunately, he has allergy to Orungal, so it was replaced by Vfend again.

Update as of June 22, 2010. On June 11th Vitaly received second donor's lymphocyte infusion. Despite therapy with Neostim, the donor's bone marrow percentage continues to go down (it is now close to 50%). If conservative methods fail, second bone marrow transplantation may be considered, either from the same donor or one of the parents. Vitalik feels rather well and goes outside a lot.

Update as of October 6, 2010. According to the planned tests results Vitalik still has mixed chimerism that means that his bone marrow has a mixture of donor and his own cells. All blood counts are normal. Unfortunately, the test for Aspergillosis was positive, and he could be prescribed Vfend if a second test would also be positive.

Update as of October 24, 2010. Vitaly is feeling ok. He was diagnosed with aspergillosis and prescribed Vfend. Vitaly goes outside a lot and attends cartoon making classes. The Eklektika-Gid company organized a great tour of the Pushkin town for Vitaly and his mother. A volunteer called Marina helps the boy with Russian and English. We would like to thank everyone who is helping us.
Tatiana, Vitaly's mother

Update as of November 24, 2010. The tests did not show aspergillosis, and Vfend was switched to Orungal. Vitalik is till under observation in the day hospital. On November 8th he had a transfusion of donor's lymphocytes. On November 28th he had a bone marrow biopsy, but the results are not ready yet. Vitalik loves to study Russian and English languages with volunteer Marina, paints with volunteer Katia, and creates animation during children studio "Yes" classes.
Also Vitalik became a real theater lover: he really enjoyed "All mice love cheese" play in Children Theater and "Golden chicken" musical at Grand Puppet Theater. We really need help from a volunteer who can study 4th and 5th grade math with Vitalik.
Tatiana, Vitalik's mother

Update as of February 1, 2011. Based on control puncture, all is well. Vitalik is feeling pretty good, but continues hormonal therapy due to skin GVHD. He studies school program with volunteers. Vitaly loves to draw cartoons and walks a lot.
Vitalik's mom

Update as of March 10, 2011. Vitaly has elevated blood sugar and cytomegalovirus levels. The basic disease is in remission, and the boy has a 100% donor chimerism. Hormones are being reduced. Vitaly is taking hepatoprotectors, Orungal and applying Advantan and Celestoderm against the skin GVH reaction. The boy is feeling fine.

Update as of May 20, 2011. Vitalik received donor's lymphocytes again to support transplant's function. However, he developed skin GVHD, grade III. After therapy with steroids and Mabthera, GVHD was taken under control. The doctors are also gradually decreasing cyclosporine dosage. Vitalik's blood sugar normalized and he feels less pain in his legs.

Update as of June 25, 2011. Vitaly is feeling fine, his blood counts are normal. For the first time during the last year the doctors allowed Vitaly to go home. Follow up examinations are scheduled for October. Thank you all so much for your help!
Vitaly's mother

Update as of October 31, 2011. Vitalik came in for planned tests.

Update as of November 12, 2011. Vitalik is finishing planned tests. All the blood counts are normal, but he has dark spots in his sinus, according to CT images. Additional tests and repeat CT scan are planned for November 18th. Vitalik feels well.

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