My name is Victoria Voeva. I was born in 1986. I live in Veliky Novgorod. In
December 2005 when I was a second-year student at Novgorodsky State University
I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
The symptoms of the disease began appearing a few months before the diagnosis,
but I did not pay much attention. I had fatigue, pain and weakness in my legs,
and pale skin. Later I started having bleedings, fever, cough and frequent colds.
I underwent chemotherapy at Hematology Unit in Veliky Novgorod. Then I continued
studies and got to my fifth year at college, but in November 2008 I had a relapse.
It was decided that I needed bone marrow transplantation. Since I had no matching
related donors, a search for unrelated donor was initiated. While the search
was underway, I was on maintenance therapy and graduated from the university.
On October 31, 2009 I received bone marrow transplant. My family got into debts
to pay 17,500 euros for the search for the donor, collection of cells and delivery
of transplant. My mom is not working at this time because she is taking care of
me, so my father is the only income earner. He has to pay off the debts, feed us
and pay for the medications that I need after the transplantation. Please help
us!
Update as of March 26, 2010.
Vika was urgently hospitalized due to transplant rejection and low blood
counts. Her mother is undergoing typing, as haploidentical transplantation
is being considered.
Update as of March 30, 2010.
Vika feels very unwell. She has high
temperature and very low blood counts. Vika was diagnosed with fungal
infection and has no appetite, which is causing weight loss. Vika is
receiving therapy with antibiotics and re-transplantation is being
discussed.
Update as of May 19, 2010.
Vika's blood counts are recovering: hemoglobin is 90 and leukocytes are 3.
While Vika had very low counts, she got sick with pneumonia. The x-ray
results were not good, so Vika urgently needs to go for CT of lungs and
have a consultation with a pulmonologist. Vika started having problems
with her heart and a cardiologist diagnosed her with myocarditis. She
needs to take Omacor, 1 capsule daily.
In addition, due to a newly diagnosed fungal infection, Vika will need
long-term therapy with Vfend. Her mom is asking for help with buying
Omacor and paying for CT scan that costs 2,500 rubles.
Update as of May 24, 2010.
On May 18th I was diagnosed with a relapse. I was prescribed chemotherapy
locally. Once I achieve remission, I am planned to undergo second unrelated
transplantation, so a donor search needs to be initiated. I continue
taking Vfend and Omacor.
Vika
Update as of July 13, 2010.
After a cycle of chemotherapy, Vika was in cytopenia for a long time.
She needed transfusions of platelets, her gums were bleeding and she
could not eat. Then she had dermatitis with severe itch. She needed
pills, ointments and injections.
Based on CT scan results, she is improving, but the fungal infection
in her lungs (aspergillosis) needs treatment, so we are asking for
help with buying Vfend.
Vika really wants to return to St. Petersburg for second transplantation,
but this will require significant expenses. Unfortunately, we still owe
for the first transplantation.
Vika really wants to live! Please help us. Thank you!
Vika's mom
Update as of August 25, 2010.
Vika is recovering after the second chemotherapy cycle. She feels rather
well but in cytopenia for now. She is continuing Vfend therapy and takes
medications for heart support. We are very thankful to AdVita fund and
our supporters, people very dear to us who help us in these difficult
times. It means a lot to us and give us strength to go on.
Galina Anatolievna, Vika's mother
Update as of October 30, 2010.
Vika is currently undergoing the 3rd anti-relapse cycle of chemotherapy.
She had surgery to treat paraproctitis and was in intensive care unit due
to severe bleeding. Vika is now in cytopenia, but her blood counts are recovering.
Based on CT of lungs, the fungal lesions are gone, so she was taken off Vfend.
Update as of November 24, 2010.
Vika was allowed to go home for two weeks to
recover from a course of chemotherapy. She is now under hematologists'
observation at the place of her residence. Vika is bothered by weakness,
dryness in the mouth, lack of appetite. The blood tests show low hemoglobin,
the blood transfusion is planned.
