Life went on as usual: studies, grand plans for the summer. But everything in my life suddenly turned upside down when in May 2017 I went to a doctor complaining of pain in the spine. I was referred for a CT scan, which showed lesions of the lungs, the mediastinal lymph nodes and the supraclavicular lymph nodes. I was sent at once to the Odesa regional oncology dispensary.
I did not want to believe the examinations; it seemed to me that this was happening not to me. A few days later a biopsy of the lung and mediastinum was performed.
According to the immunohistochemical analysis I was given a terrible diagnosis: the nodular variant of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma with mixed composition in the nodules with involvement of the mediastinum and lungs.
I cannot find words to convey how hard it was to accept and take in. Treatment had to begin as soon as possible, because the disease was progressing, and we went to Kyiv, to the "Feofaniia" clinical hospital. There I went through eight courses of chemotherapy monitored by PET-CT. I tolerated the treatment rather badly: my blood counts kept falling, and against that background there were various complications. The chemotherapy lasted eight months. I hoped that my treatment would end there and the long-awaited remission would come. But a month after the last course of chemotherapy a PET-CT scan showed that the disease was progressing in the form of left-sided subclavian lymphadenopathy. The doctors said the chemotherapy protocol had to be changed, with a bone marrow transplant to follow.
This news made us look for treatment options abroad. We decided to go to Germany.
Having received an invitation from the Vivantes clinic in Berlin, we went for an examination, where the diagnosis was confirmed. I am now having courses of chemotherapy. A bone marrow transplant still lies ahead of me. The cost of the operation is 56 thousand euros. We cannot meet the cost of the transplant ourselves, because in a year of fighting the disease all our money has been spent.
We are forced to ask for help from people who care. Your kindness need not be material only — whoever can, simply pray for me. May no one ever go through what I and my family are going through.
I very much hope for your support! With your help and God's I shall have a better chance of defeating the disease.
For the ways you can help, see
here.
15.01.2020
Due to the completion of the main treatment and the immunotherapy course, Maria Cherneva's application is closed!
Thank you to everyone who helped and supported her!
26.07.2019
Good afternoon! I'd like to tell you how I'm doing.
This month I flew to Germany. On 8 July I had a checkup — CT scan and blood tests.
On 10 July I had a meeting with the doctor, where he shared my test results. The examination showed that everything was fine — in remission. There were some minor abnormalities in the blood test, but the doctor said this was normal.
However, the doctor advised that I should continue treatment and complete 16 full courses of immunotherapy. A month after completing 16 courses, I will need to have a PET CT scan in Germany.
I am sending you a discharge summary from the Berlin clinic and a receipt for the examinations.
23 July, I completed the 10th course of immunotherapy.
Thank you all for your support and help!
Sincerely, Maria.
12.06.2019
Today is the 263th day after the bone marrow transplant. And already the 8th course of immunotherapy (out of the 16 possible ones). The break between courses is three weeks.
Time flies...
I feel good, which is great. I periodically get tested, have my blood checked, and maintain my levels.
Thank you so much for helping those in need! Your support is immeasurable!
22.03.2019
Good afternoon everyone! Time flies, today I've already completed 4 a course of immunotherapy (out of 16 possible), 1 a course every three weeks. I feel well, and the medication is being tolerated well. However, it affects my blood counts; my platelets and sometimes white blood cells drop. I often get blood tests to monitor this.
Thank you so much for your help!
Sincerely, Maria.
23.01.2019
It's been four months since the transplant, but sometimes it feels like yesterday. My blood counts have returned to normal, and it's time to begin immunotherapy. 14 I had my first course of Adcetris therapy in January, and I'm feeling well.
Immunotherapy is administered once every three weeks. I'm undergoing treatment in Ukraine because the cost of one course in Germany is 5 700 EUR. In Ukraine, the cost of one ampoule is 113000 UAH, and two ampoules are required for one course of therapy. In addition, there should be 16 (a total of 32 ampoules for a full course of immunotherapy).
But not long ago, a patient support program for Adcetris was launched in Ukraine. The company offered us one ampoule, and 31 They provide the ampoule free of charge, which is great.
Thank you all for your support and help!
Sincerely, Maria.
18.10.2018
Today is 27 the day after the bone marrow transplant. Next up are 16 courses of immunotherapy with Brentuximab vedotin. 5800 euro for each course.
Sincerely, Maria.
Assistance provided - 43 000,00 UAH:
| Date |
Type of assistance |
Amount, UAH |
| 19.11.2018 |
Charitable assistance for treatment |
20 000,00 |
| 11.01.2019 |
Charitable assistance for treatment |
10 000,00 |
| 07.03.2019 |
Charitable assistance for Treatment |
4 500,00 |
| 22.05.2019 |
Charitable donation for treatment |
5 000,00 |
| 10.01.2020 |
Charitable donation for treatment |
3 500,00 |
