Molchanovskiy Nikita

Our children will always be the most vulnerable. We are ready to take on the world for them even if it is just a simple cold. If it is something serious, and the fight with the disease lasts for several months, our enthusiasm fades to despair. This story of a son of Tatyana Molchanovskaya from the Vologda region is filled with grief and pleas to help.

  “My son Nikita turned 4 on October 10, 2020. In February my son got sick. He developed a fever, and was complaining about pain in his legs and stomach. He was always tired, he wanted to lie down, he was no longer interested in toys, books or cartoons. We went to the local hospital. There was various treatment not connected to oncology. Time passed, but no medications seemed to help. His hemoglobin level was decreasing, and the body temperature fluctuated in the range from 37.3 to 39.9. Soon Nikita stopped using his leg at all, we had to carry him around... It lasted for more than a month. As a mother, I felt that something very serious was going on with my child! We visited a private pediatrician in the regional pediatric center of the Vologda region. After examination done by the specialist we were admitted to the hospital where we underwent an ultrasound scan of the kidneys. After that I heard the diagnosis that sounded like a death sentence. I can’t put the feelings I had into words! The ground dropped away under my feet.

 We were transferred to pediatric hematology, oncology and immunology department in Vologda city, where the diagnosis was confirmed: mixed ganglioneuroblastoma of retroperitoneum on the right side, stage 4 according to INSS, with metastatic lesions in the bone marrow, retrocrural lymph nodes, and posterior mediastinum, high risk group.

 The doctors sent a request to the Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology named after Dmitry Rogachev located in Moscow. There was no time to wait. They started doing chemotherapy according to the European neuroblastoma treatment protocol, NB-2004. The volume of the tumor was more than 1000 ml at that time. We underwent three courses of chemotherapy in the center located in Vologda. Then we got transferred to Moscow, to Dmitry Rogachev center. We underwent additional examinations and three more courses of chemotherapy. Nikita underwent three surgeries. More than 95 percent of the tumor were removed, and Nikita underwent left renal vein plastic surgery, revision surgery, and lavage of the abdominal cavity. Due to this my son had complications: left renal vein thrombosis. After six courses of chemotherapy we had to undergo full examination again. The next stage was bone marrow transplantation.

 Despite countless sleepless days and nights, despite all the tears we’ve made it! My child is in high risk group, and we need to complete the final stage of the treatment — immune therapy. It increases the chances of relapse free survival!

 The immunotherapy medication we need,  is not registered in Russia, and its purchase price is millions of rubles! We need to complete five courses to finish our treatment, it means that we need 20 vials of this expensive medication.

 Our family is modest, and I don’t have money like this. My eldest son is in the army now, and my middle son is in grade 9. I am officially a caretaker of a disabled child — Nikita. Help us!!! I’m begging you!!! Nikita desperately wants to live!!! Despite his age, he has dreams and plans for the future. We do not give up. We really hope for your help! Please come forward!!!”

 Timely help is a chance to save a child's life.