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11.08.2004 Serezha Papkov died in the morning of August 10. His diagnosis, chronic myeloleukemia, was formulated in 1997. And since then, the doctors and parents fought for Serezha's life for seven years. A year ago, it became clear than medicines alone cannot help. The only chance was marrow transplantation, which took place this winter. Graft vs. host disease (GVHD) developed, and the donor marrow functioned very poorly. Stem cells were additionally transplanted; again GVHD and numerous operations on the intestine. Serezha's last operation took place on August 1. When he was taken to the operating ward on a wheel stretcher, he raised his head and waved his hand. "It was a farewell," his mother says. Thanks to the doctors, Serezha had these seven years. This time was filled not only with punctures and medicine droppers. Serezha studied at school, took an interest in fishing and computers. His favorite films were about wild animals. He even made friends with a girl. He managed to do much. The last half a year after the transplantation was hard. He had dermal, intestinal, and hepatic forms of GVHD. To cope with them, he had to take large doses of hormones, which provoked severe osteoporosis. During his last months, Serezha could not even turn in his bed. But, up to the last moment, he and his mother hoped that everything might yet be all right. It was very important for them to know that all things possible were done to save Serezha. The doctors, philathropists, and blood donors gave them this confidence. It is a pity we could not give more. 31.05.2004 Here is the news about Serezha Papkov. His situation is not too good. No engraftment of the transplanted marrow took place, and he had a repeated transplantation (the German donor agreed to give his bone marrow once more free of charge). Now Serezha has got an acute graft vs. host disease. In addition, he has got severe osteoporosis and intestinal bleeding. He needs regular and frequent blood transfusions, group O(I)+. 13.04.2004 Miacalcic worth 3670.26 roubles was bought for Serezha Papkov from the Marrow Transplantation Department. 14.01.2004 Dear friends, you remember that we have several times asked you to help Serezha Papkov, a boy suffering from chronic myeloid leukemia. First we tried to raise funds in order to find Serezha an unrelated donor for marrow transplantation. Then there appeared Gleevec, a new anti-leukemic medicine, and Serezha's parents asked for your help in order to buy it, in hope that it might cure the boy. Mikhail and Elena responded to this plea and paid for a year's course of Gleevec that Serezha received. But, unfortunately, it did not help. The only remaining hope for recovery was marrow transplantation. The search for an unrelated donor was performed in the European Bank. The donor was found, and again Mikhail and Elena came for help: they paid for this search and for the transportation of the donor marrow to Russia. Serezha had his transplantation on December 15, 2003. When Serezha was taken to the Marrow Transplantation Department, the doctors told him what was awaiting him. The boy was shocked and depressed at first but then pulled himself together and started fighting for his life. He has made friends with all doctors and nurses. He constantly smiles and jokes, not only raising his own spirits but also cheering up everybody around. Too little time has passed since the transplantation, and nothing definite can be said. There are no infectious complications but there are signs of the the graft vs. host reaction on the skin. Serezha is one of the first patients mentioned on our site. We have known him for years and always loved him very much. Please pray for his health now. 09.07.2003 Serezha Papkov received two more packs of Glevec. He feels good, but the tests show there is no complete response to this treatment. So Serezha's mother only hopes that marrow transplantation will help. There will be a search in the World Register, and, if a donor is found for Serezha, the boy will have this transplantation. We will certainly tell you about Serezha's treatment: whether a donor is found and when the marrow transplantation is to take place. 11.03.2003 Elena and Mikhail bought two more packs of Glevec for Serezha Papkov. Serezha feels good, and the results of the tests are also better than before. 10.01.2003 Z transferred 100 USD for Serezha Papkov via the online credit card system. 17.12.2002 Hydrea worth 5320.59 roubles was bought for Serezha Papkov. 24.10.2002 Justin Thomas Miller transferred 25 USD for Serezha Papkov via the online credit card system. 19.10.2002 Kogan transferred 100 roubles for Serezha Papkov via the online credit card system. 2.10.2002 It was planned that Serezha would receive his Glevec therapy at the expense of the budget. However, this medicine has not yet been received at the hospital, and we again ask you to help the boy. Hydrea (total cost 5297.49 roubles) was bought for Serezha Papkov. 14.2.2002 Yulia Solomonovna and her friends bought Albumin (200 USD) for the Oncohematology Ward and donated 150 USD as a financial aid for Serezha Papkov's mother. 31.1.2002 The Health Ministry of the Russian Federation has purchased Roferon and Gleevec, the medicines necessary for Serezha Papkov's treatment. So we are no longer raising funds for buying these medicines. Serezha will soon come to Moscow with his mother and receive the necessary treatment. The money collected for him will be used to pay for the necessary tests and to provide financial help to his parents. 8.01.2002 Anna transferred 100 USD for Serezha Papkov's treatment via the online credit card system. 07.12.2001 Andrey donated 5000 roubles for Serezha Papkov. 22.03.99 Serezha's parents have not yet resolved to make a marrow transplantation, and so we stop collecting money for Serezha for the time being. 3.03.99 Katya and Kostya donated 50$ and 800 roubles, respectively, for Serezha's treatment. |
My two children and I lived in the city of Gomel. After the Chernobyl
accident, the children started to suffer from frequent illnesses, and we
had to move to the town of Vyazma in the Smolensk region. But the Chernobyl
disaster still entered our home. In 1997, my younger son Serezha fell ill,
and the diagnosis was blood cancer - chronic myeloleukemia. Now I cannot
work, because Serezha needs constant care and regular hospital checkups. My
husband's monthly salary is as little as 2000 roubles (65$). The drugs our
son needs are very expensive; one pack of hydroxyurea is barely sufficient
for a month. Now this medicine does not help him anymore. But we have always
hoped that a new medicine for Serezha's illness would be created, and it was
this hope that made us decline the offer of marrow transplantation three
years ago. And now we have received the good news that such a medicine has
appeared at last, and we hope that it will save our child. Serezha is
thirteen now, he is in the 6th grade. He likes fishing and cars and dreams
of becoming a driver. He is lively, eager for knowledge, kind and polite,
always ready to help any old woman unable to get on a bus or his teacher
carrying a heavy pile of textbooks and exercise books. Serezha barely feels
his illness, he wants to run and play football, but the treacherous disease
may cut his games short and put him to bed. Because of this terrible diagnosis,
I have no peace and constantly fear for my son's life. Only God knows all
the tears, the sleepless nights, all the agony and shock of a mother's heart.
And now GLEEVEC, the medicine that may save us, has appeared at last. But we
cannot buy it, because a month's course costs 2800$, and the treatment must
last no less than 5 months. After Gleevec, Serezha will have to take Roferon
for a year, and it will cost 1200$ per month. Serezha's life now depends on
this money, but how can we raise such a sum? Please help us save the boy and
help him get rid of this terrible disease. I am whole-heartedly grateful to
everyone who is going to help my son.Yours respectfully, Nina Grigorievna Papkova, Smolensk region, Vyazma |
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