I am Anton Zaitsev's mom. I am asking for financial support with treatment
of my son.
Anton was born on September 16, 1995. He finished sixth grade at a small
town Kiselnia in Volkhovsky district of Leningradskaya oblast. Anton is a
good student, and he had many favorite subjects (math, information systems,
geography, biology, labor and physical education). In a year my son wanted
to enroll into Maritime Cadet Corps in Kroshtadt. To achieve this goal, he
was active in sports: played soccer and basketball and skied. With his
classmates, he participated in district and regional competitions.
Anton loves to draw. He also enjoys reading about World War II and he
admires the bravery and endurance of our people. He also likes to read
encyclopedia about the animals and watch documentaries about science.
Anton is a fan of Zenith soccer club. He also supports other teams when they
play on behalf of Russia. He is proud of their wins and achievements.
My son is a kind and fair boy. He loves his little sister Nastia, who is 8.
Anton has always been my helper. He can be relied upon in anything, and he
will help with everything.
In the spring of this year during a soccer game Anton got trauma that
transformed into a terrible disease, osteogenic sarcoma of his thigh.
When my son learned about his disease, he took the news stoically. He said:
"Mom, we will overcome this! I know that I will be OK".
After a course of chemotherapy Anton will need endoprosthesis, which costs
22,000 euros. My son was indicated an installation of the "growing"
prosthesis in his right knee joint.
We are in much need of financial support for our living expenses, tickets,
medications and the operation. Thank you very much in advance for your
response!
Update as of September 16, 2008.
Today is Anton's birthday. He turned 13. Knowing that Anton is a
dedicated fan of Zenith club, we prepared a surprise for him. Anton
got a gift from the hands of Vladimir Dolgopolov, who spent most of
his career with the club in 1980-1992, except for 1988-1989, and was
a champion of the Soviet Union in 1984.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the soccer club
Zenith and Vladimir Dolgopolov and PR-director of the club Alexei
Blinov personally for their gift and care.
Update as of December 8, 2008.
Anton completed six chemotherapy cycles. The operation to install an
endoprosthesis is scheduled for December 15th. Anton and his mom are
sincerely grateful to the Union of Charitable Organizations for paying
for the endoprosthesis, and AiF-Kind Heart fund for covering the cost
of instruments necessary for the operation.
Update as of February 13, 2009.
On December 15th Anton underwent an operation to remove his tumor, and
he was installed an endoprosthesis. Anton recovered after the operation
and was allowed to go home until February 9th. The boy feels well, and
he works hard on developing his leg movement. However, at home Anton
encountered a problem, as the personnel at the local rehabilitation
center have never dealt with endoprostheses before and do not know how
to properly work with it.
We received a good result from histology testing. The resection was
performed at the disease-free areas, and the removed tumor had no live
cells. Anton will not be administered any more chemotherapy. He will
only come to the clinic once a month for examination.
Update as of October 13, 2009.
Anton had a relapse. He is now undergoing a course of anti-relapse
chemotherapy at Petrov Oncology Research Institute.
Update as of October 14, 2009.
In August we were preparing for school. My son has been waiting for
September 1st with such a great anticipation! And then on August 26th,
during another checkup, all our dreams were broken once again. We learned
that Anton had a relapse with lesions in the right fibula and metastases
in his lungs. There is nothing worse than that. We now need long-term
treatment. Although the doctors told us that Anton has practically no
chances, we, despite everything, will fight to the end and we believe
in our victory. We are really hoping for your help because Anton will
need to undergo treatment for a long time (chemotherapy and surgeries),
so for almost a year we will stay the hospital.
Anton's mom
Update as of October 30, 2009.
Anton completed the first anti-relapse round, and the second, very
difficult, with large Methotrexate doses. It was very hard. In just
12 days, Anton lost 6 kg, developed severe mucositis and had fever
for several days, as well as a number of bleedings. He needed many
transfusions of r-mass and platelets. Most important thing though
is that it helped to stop metastases from growing in his lungs!
By now, Anton had recovered and was allowed to stay
at home for a week.
A surgery to remove his right calf bone was scheduled for November 5.
After the surgery, he is planned to undergo at least two more rounds
of chemotherapy, but not as intensive and dangerous. Afterwards, Anton
will most likely need an operation on his lungs.
We are very grateful to Children's Hospice organization for providing
us with Heptral. Thanks to their timely help, Anton's liver counts
were normalized.
Update as of December 7, 2009.
On November 5th Anton had a surgery to remove a lesion in his calf bone,
after which he underwent a round of chemotherapy with Gemzar. The disease
in his lungs is stable.
To start walking again, Anton needed special ortheses to support and
fixate his feet. Thanks to those orthopedic shoes, my son was able to
walk again without crutches by November 20th. Anton was allowed to go
home for a week to rest and get a new treatment quota.
On December 14th Anton will return to the clinic, and on the same date
he will have CT scan. Depending on the results, he may need
another course of Gemzar.
Anton's mom
Update as of December 22, 2009.
Computed tomography testified to the stabilization of the lung process.
We are now at home, Anton is feeling ok but he's been coughing
for a month now.
Another block with Gemzar is scheduled for December 28, and the
lung surgery is planned to be performed after the new
year holidays.
Anton's mother
Update as of January 10, 2010.
After a course of Gemzar, Anton's blood counts plummeted.
He has low platelets and started having nosebleeds.
An x-ray prior to the chemotherapy start showed growth
in lymph nodes. The doctors are talking about tumor progression.
Anton now coughs less, but started suffering from tachycardia
attacks. He cannot walk much due to difficulty breathing.
Once Anton regains his strength, the doctors plan another x-ray
to decide on further treatment.
Update as of February 3, 2010.
Anton is now going through the 14-day chemotherapy course with
Ifosfamide. It is a very hard course but so far Anton is doing
well. He feels ok. 2 more days are left.
Update as of February 17, 2010.
On Monday, Anton had an x-ray that showed that he does not have
fluids in his lungs anymore, but his lymph nodes are enlarged,
and one of them is pressing on a bronchus, which causes Anton
to have a bad cough.
On Friday, Anton is planned to start 14-day chemotherapy with
Ifosfamide, if the medication arrives by that time.
If the hospital does not get it in time, Anton’s parents will
need to buy it. Anton will need 3 vials at 2 gm and 1 vial
at 1 gm, for the total cost of 8,500 rubles.
Update as of February 28, 2010.
Anton started another cycle of high-dosage chemotherapy with Ifosfamide
on Friday. Anton feels well and even has an appetite. His mom is thanking
our fund for buying Ifosfamide for Anton.
Update as of March 14, 2010.
Anton completed two-week long chemotherapy cycle and was allowed to go home.
He feels well and his blood counts are recovering already (leukocytes - 1.0
and platelets - 100). In a week, he will go for an x-ray.
Update as of March 26, 2010.
Anton completed a course of treatment and returned home. He feels rather
well and even goes to school. In a month, he will have examination at
Oncology Research Institute.
Update as of April 30, 2010.
Anton is at home. His condition is somewhat better, and the improvement
was confirmed by x-ray results. Anton's cough subsided and his general
condition improved as well. Anton was prescribed Dexamethasone and Diacarb.
