Hello dear friends,
I will tell you my story with the hope for your understanding and support. My
name is Natalia Nikitina. In January 2010 I turned 30. Practically all my life I
have been fighting to survive in this world…
When I was 5 years old, I was run over by a train. As a result, I lost my
legs. I spent a year at the hospital and then I was taken directly to the
orphanage, because my mother did not want to take me home – she was too scared…
I studied, sang, danced and was active in sports; I did everything I could,
everything that I wanted to do. I simply wanted to live to the fullest.
When I was 16, I came to St. Petersburg, where I started a new life and encountered
new challenges…
In 2002 I was referred to Albrecht Prosthetics Institute where I met my future
husband Aleksey. He is also disabled and has leg prostheses. In September 2002
we got married.
Very soon I got pregnant and my husband and I were enormously happy. We wanted
this child so much. It seemed all was going well, but…
The doctors refused to perform Cesarean section, as they thought I should be
able to give birth naturally (despite my vision of-8). There was no one near
me when I began giving birth…
My little girl was born on April 17, 2003… "Dead… not breathing… breathing…
no… to intensive care, quickly! Now let's save the mother…"
My Lida is now 6. She has mixed cerebral palsy, spastic tetraparesis. Until
now, she still does not talk, although she understands everything perfectly.
She cannot walk, although she wants to so much, and she cannot even feed herself
because she cannot control her hands.
In 2007 our family got a new little star – Katenka, Lidochka's little sister.
It was not unexpected, as we planned this pregnancy, like the first one. Katyusha
was just as wanted as Lidochka.
Katyusha goes to daycare now. She is already 2 years old. Two years of happiness…
But now I feel even more pain when I see Lida who cannot do all the things
her sister can. I want to do everything in my power to help her get better,
but unfortunately, our pensions are barely covering our daily needs… I managed
to get Lidochka accepted to Romanov Center and found her a nanny. I was hoping
that with help of caring people I will be able to do something to help my older
daughter. But then we got new problems.
I started having health issues. At first I thought the pain will go away. By
the end of February I realized I will not be able to tolerate pain anymore
and went to see the specialists. After the tests were done, it was discovered
that it was cancer that attacked me. I still have a hard time believing in
it and accepting that it is happening to me. I know that I have a very long
a difficult treatment ahead of me, but I need to get well, because I have
children who need me, especially Lidochka whom I cannot leave – she will die
without me around.
Recently I underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortunately, it did not
turn out the way I wanted – "cut it and forget it" – as the tumor
metastasized in my liver. I was diagnosed with moderately differentiated
adenocarcinoma of sigmoid intestine. I need to start chemotherapy urgently.
It can be done for free, but I have to wait in line – and every day of delay
counts in my condition.
As I understand, I will have to pay for some tests, and for starting treatment
sooner. Also, due to my illness, we will have to pay more to our nanny. It will
cost us at least 5,000 rubles a week. Our family is asking for your help!
Please support us!
Update as of April 6, 2010.
Today I went for a consultation at Petrov Oncology Research Institute.
I was referred for a more detailed liver testing to find out how much
damage is there and determine treatment strategy. It turned out that
liver metastases are difficult and risky to treat. Normally, medications
are injected via a catheter installed in an artery on a leg.
However, since I don't have legs, it complicates things.
The drugs can also be injected through an arm, but it can cause
complications and the doctor has to 200% sure that I need
this procedure.
I will have to pay for all the tests. Today we paid 600 rubles for an
ultrasound, and on April 14th I am scheduled for CT scan that
will cost 9,000 rubles.
I do have money to pay for these tests. Fortunately, good people
from a Peterburg's parents web forum donated 8,500 rubles to me.
And I was told that I will be able to undergo treatment under a quota.
Update as of May 4, 2010.
Natasha will be admitted for chemotherapy at Oncology clinic on Veteranov
Ave. on May 11. Due to lack of free beds, she will have to pay for her
hospital stay. It costs 1,000 rubles a day. Natasha will need to stay
there for at least 5 days. We will be grateful for your help.
Update as of May 12, 2010.
I am now at the Oncology Center on Veteranov prospect.
Tomorrow I will have IV drip started that will last two days.
I need to buy a flask for 1,700 rubles and two ampoules of
Emeset for 300 rubles.
Natasha
Update as of May 20, 2010.
I am already at home. The first chemotherapy cycle went well
(medical report).
Here is my report about my expenses:
Hospital room - 6,000 rubles,
Mildronate (1 box) - 279 rubles, need continuously,
Disposable 2-day flask - 1,700 rubles (for every cycle),
Emeset (2 ampoules) - 300 rubles (need to take during chemotherapy),
Wobenzym - 1,800 rubles, need continuously.
Several tests prior to hospitalization (12) - 2,300 rubles,
Liver ultrasound - 650 rubles,
Kidney ultrasound - 350 rubles.
My doctor said that they will receive a new medication soon and he
does not think I need to buy foreign medications at this time.
In the future all will depend on my general condition. In total, 6 to 9
cycle of therapy are planned.
Natasha
Update as of May 31, 2010.
I will be hospitalized for chemotherapy at
Oncology hospital at Pr. Veteranov again. Last week, our youngest was
sick. We bought medications for 1,058 rubles and I kept all receipts.
Also I bought medications for myself today for 3,541 rubles and I
have support for this expense. We are very grateful to everyone for
their help!
Natasha
Update as of June 17, 2010.
I am sorry for not writing in a while. I had many problems to deal with.
I am now undergoing the 3rd cycle and all is going well, but I am not
in a very good mood. All of this is not very pleasant, and now I have
problems with Katya. I am so tired... I have no energy. What a disaster!
Last week we took Katya to allergy specialist. We had to go to a private
doctor, because the one in our clinic is all booked until the end of
July, and I just cannot listen to her coughing so much, my heart
is breaking.
She was tested, and next week we will have results. We bought all the
medications that cost us 7,000 rubles. We have all the receipts.
Fortunately, this time I got a free room at the hospital, and only paid
for a flask (1,670 rubles).
I am scheduled for CT scan for next Friday. The doctors will see what
kind of response I had.
Natasha
Update as of June 24, 2010.
I am very grateful for your help. I'd like to thank all our supporters
and wish them great health! On Friday I will try to report on
the test results.
I will also take Katya to a doctor on Friday. She has a very hard
time sleeping. She coughs so badly that it seems she will cought out
her intestines at any time. She coughs and
cries: "I really want to sleep!"
Natasha
Update as of July 27, 2010.
On July 23 I was discharged after another chemotherapy cycle. Thank God, I
feel well, except for some fatigue. The doctor said that I will need two
more cycles, and if everything goes just as well, the operation will
get scheduled.
On July 25th I had CT scan that showed improvement.
This is great news.
We are continuing Katya's treatment and she is getting better. On
July 31 she has an appointment and it will be decided what therapy
she will need in the future.
Natasha
Update as of September 6, 2010.
I am forwarding my latest clinical summary with great news: complete remission! Fortunately,
now the surgery is no longer considered, although two more chemotherapy cycles are scheduled.
Natasha
Correspondent Bank:
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas,
SWIFT: BKTRUS33
Beneficiary Bank:
OJSC Bank Petrovski (f. EEFC Bank Plc.)
SWIFT: PETRRU2P
Account No. 04096265
Beneficiary:
Non-Profit Organization
"AdVita Charitable Foundation",
account # 40703840712001000468
*,**
Correspondent Bank:
Deutsche Bank AG,
SWIFT: DEUTDEFF
Beneficiary Bank:
OJSC Bank Petrovski (f. EEFC Bank Plc.)
SWIFT: PETRRU2P
Account No. 100 9497918 1000
Beneficiary:
Non-Profit Organization
"AdVita Charitable Foundation",
account # 40703978312001000468
*,**
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