From Lenya's mother's letters:
3.09.2013
Good afternoon. This is Vera, Lenya's mother. We've been in Israel for three weeks now. We had an MRI of his head and spine. Thank God, everything is clear. We completed the first round of chemotherapy (yesterday was the last IV). Now we have a four-week break. Lenya's blood counts have dropped significantly as a result of the chemotherapy. We hope they will recover before the next round. Lenya is generally feeling well. The only thing that worries me is his appetite. He's not eating well. Now regarding the financial side: we were accepted for treatment without any money, using the remaining funds from the previous treatment. But they were enough for the MRI tests and consultations before the first round. We are really hoping for help.
17.09.2013
Hello, dear «Little Bee». Lenya and I are very sorry, for not writing for so long. Unfortunately, I didn't have internet access, only my cell phone. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any other way to contact you. We'll be posting more updates about Lenya from now on. Lenya is generally feeling well. Lenya has a new hobby now, or rather, a new one here in Israel: gardening: we planted lemon seeds in a mini greenhouse and will be growing lemons. So, we'll be heading home with freshly grown lemons! But her appetite remains an issue. She's eating very poorly. It's good that the weather has improved, and the heat has subsided. Now she can spend more time outdoors. I hope her appetite will improve a little. We're currently taking a break between treatments. According to the plan, 30 we're supposed to start the second chemotherapy cycle in September. It will be the same as the first: the first two days of hospitalization and three chemotherapy drugs with flushing, and once a week in the day hospital for chemotherapy. So, two times a week, that's Block A. During the break, we've been seeing the doctor twice a week, and this week and the following week, once a week. And we're getting tests.
After the end of the block, my blood counts were very low, but they've gradually started to rise. My platelets have risen well, my neutrophils have also risen, but my hemoglobin is still low. Tomorrow is my scheduled doctor's appointment and tests. I pray to God that all my blood counts return to normal and allow me to proceed to the next stage without delays.
Regarding the financial aspect. We are currently undergoing chemotherapy thanks to a German foundation, which gave the hospital a guarantee letter in the amount of 8506€.
For 10.09 we need funds in the amount of 22386,8€. We are really counting on your help. Unfortunately, the foundation's funds may only be enough for the second round. Thank you for your sympathy in our plight!
28.09.2013
The boy is generally feeling well; he is active, plays with toys, and goes outside in the evenings. Many people at the hospital have taken a liking to Lenya. They bring him food, toys, and autumn clothes. The clinic staff has collected 2470 shekels for the child.
Lenya's mother is concerned that his temperature is unstable: it rises to 37,5 and then returns to normal. Sometimes there are signs of stomatitis.
Last week, the boy had tests done and was consulted by a doctor. The child's blood counts have improved, but are not yet fully normal.
The doctor is pleased with Lenya's condition. According to protocol, the boy is scheduled to begin the second round of chemotherapy on 30.09. The second round will be the same as the first. The child's mother is very worried about how Lenya will cope with it, as during the first round, the little boy experienced nausea, vomiting, and general malaise.
Lenya is currently undergoing chemotherapy, funded by a German foundation. With the help of the German foundation and caring people from social media, «VKontakte» and «Odnoklassniki», the Artsyz City Council, boxes installed in Artsyz stores, and various websites and forums, as of 26.09.2013 we have raised 18482,75€ for the child's treatment (of which 8506 € is the foundation's assistance). We still need to raise 19797,25€. This amount is still very high, and there is no time left.
16.10.2013
Hello, dear «Little Bee»! I'd like to share some news about our Lenya! 30.09 We've started our second round of chemotherapy. It's the same as the first in terms of the drugs and timing. Lenya received his treatment on schedule. Our boy bravely endured this chemotherapy as well. Yesterday we received the last round of chemotherapy, and now Lenya needs to recover and gain strength for the next round. Now Lenya is feeling well. Our blood counts were low when we started the chemotherapy, but then they gradually improved. We had our tests done yesterday and received the chemotherapy. The results are almost normal, only the platelets are low. But the doctor said not to worry; they should be slowly improving. Neutrophil counts are also a bit low, but that's a consequence of the chemotherapy. Lenya's appetite is really bad; he has to be coaxed into eating, but thankfully, he's not losing weight. In his free time, Lenya plays with various toys. He especially loves playing with dinosaurs and dragons. We started learning the alphabet, and Lenya himself asked me to teach him the letters. I didn't want to burden him, since he's been through enough over the past six months, but Lenya plays games on his netbook and constantly asks me to read along with the gameplay. So, he decided to learn to read on his own so he can navigate the games. Lenya takes care of her flowers and lemon tree, watering them regularly. From 14.10 to31.10 the charity campaign "Drops of Kindness", organized by the road "Pchelka" and the Artsyz Department of Education, began. The goal of the campaign is to involve schoolchildren in good deeds. A fundraiser for Lenya's treatment will also be held. We still don't have enough money for the treatment; with the help of kind people and a German foundation, we have raised 15.10. 20215,18€. To fully cover the treatment bill, we need another 18054,91€. The amount is still very high, and we don't have time to wait. We might not have enough money for the third block. Help our Lenya recover. Help him return to his childhood! Our family bows to everyone who helped us save our son!
28.10.2013
Hello, dear «Little Bee»! I want to share some news about Lenya. Lenya is currently taking a break between blocks to recuperate and improve his blood counts. Thank God, Lenya is feeling well. He's active and in a good mood. He plays various games, learns his letters, and is also learning pottery. Not far from where we currently live, various crafts are organized for children every Saturday. Lenya has already made a jug, a bowl, and pyramids himself. Then, after they were dry, he painted them himself. The master craftsman already recognizes Lenya. When we visit, Lenya becomes more confident with clay work each time, and he really enjoys it! Outside the hospital, I try to encourage Lenya to have as many positive experiences as possible. The only problem is that Lenya has a very poor appetite.
As recommended by the doctor, I try to feed Lenya little by little, but often. His temperature rises to 37.5. The doctor says it's dangerous for Lenya to have a temperature 38 and higher. Lately, his teeth have been bothering him; they've darkened — a complication from radiation therapy. He should be at the consultation 31 in October. The third block is scheduled to begin if his test results improve,10 in November. The third block should be a week shorter than the previous two. As of today, 28.10 the amount raised for treatment is 22689,81€. The required amount to be raised is 15545,08€. Thank you so much for the help you're providing Lenya!
Thank you to all the kind and caring people, everyone who cares about Lenya!
11.11.2013
Hello, dear «Little Bee»! From the beginning of my letter, I want to express my immense gratitude and deepest appreciation for your help to our Lenya! Thanks to dear «Bee» represented by Director Elena Valerievna and the Artsyz Department of Education, funds totaling13323,4 UAH have been collected and transferred to Lenechka, and today they also transferred 2965 UAH, as well as a donation to the Charity Foundation «Little Bee» 40000 UAH. Thank you so much for your help! Thank you to all the magicians who donated funds for Lenechka's treatment! A huge thank you from the parents and a deep bow to each and every one of you! May our dear Prosperity Foundation have more kind hearts ready to help sick children who desperately need financial support! You are doing a great and noble deed! May God bless the entire team «Bees» and their families with good health! I want to write about Lenya that yesterday 10.11 Our third round of chemotherapy has begun. We've been on IVs for two days now, and tomorrow, with God's help, they should finish. Then, in about a week, another IV. This is our third round. Lenya's condition, thank God, is still tolerable. We're eating as usual, but it's very poor. Right from the start, he started reacting to the chemotherapy in an unexplained way. He started complaining of chest pain and difficulty breathing. He developed a cough. The nurses checked Lenya's pulse and blood pressure. His blood pressure rose slightly. The doctor also examined and listened to him, but couldn't pinpoint the cause. Most likely, the reason is — his body's characteristics, or Lenya's psychological reaction to the chemotherapy. He's currently receiving the same IV, and he's sleeping peacefully. This round is different from the previous ones in terms of the chemotherapy. The doctor warned that his blood counts could drop significantly.
We don't have any further news about Lenya for now. Thank you so much to everyone who's supporting us! God bless you! I'd like to let you know that the remaining amount needed to cover the bill is 5743,71€. I'd like to point out that many people have stepped up and offered us a helping hand. But we're still short of funds, and we're really hoping for kind people to step up! Thank you so much! God bless you.
28.01.2014
«Good afternoon, dear Little Bee. I want to share with you how Lenechka is doing. We are now going through the 5 block of chemotherapy. During the fourth block his blood counts recovered with some difficulty, but Lenechka managed on his own, without any stimulation. Before the fifth block we had his ears checked by an ENT specialist and his hearing tested. His kidney function was also checked by the level of creatinine in the urine. The creatinine was elevated, so for 2 days he was given therapy to improve kidney function, and for another 2 days he received the chemotherapy of block 5. Today, on 28.01, we saw the doctor and gave blood; the doctor examined Lenechka and said that everything is fine, the creatinine is back to normal; as for the hearing, she said that cisplatin (one of the cytostatics Lenia receives in block A) affects the kidneys and hearing, and his hearing has now dropped a little at high frequencies, but Lenia does not feel it in any way. I hope that the rest of the treatment will go steadily. Our test results have fallen a little today, but it is bearable. On 30.01 we have chemotherapy at the day hospital and one more a week later. And, God willing, we should get through block 5! Lenechka feels well. Thank God, he tolerated the chemotherapy normally. His appetite is poor as usual, I try to feed him little but often, and the additional nutrition «Inshur» is a great help.
We're trying to maintain his weight for now. He's active and in good spirits, just like in the hospital, happily participating in everything, and he loves to do various crafts and make things. We weren't home for 4 days while we were undergoing chemotherapy. We have some flowers in the apartment (a Christmas cactus, which actually bloomed on Christmas Day), and Lenya is taking care of them. So, when we arrived, we saw that the flowers were wilting a little. Lenya ran over to water them, saying, "Have you missed me, dear flowers?" The flower has certainly come back to life. Lenya is happy, and he enjoys watching this. The weather is nice, so we go for walks whenever possible. I also want to mention the wonderful benefactor Sergey, who the day before the fifth block donated $015774 for Lenya's treatment. We are immensely grateful to you, dear Sergey. May God always help you in everything, and may you and all your loved ones have good health, and prosperity in everything! Thank you, too, my dear, for your participation in this. Thank you to all the kind, compassionate people who are helping Lenya in her fight against this insidious disease! May God grant everyone peace, health, kindness, and prosperity in everything and always! 5 «Little Bee»»
11.02.2014
Hello, dear «Little Bee». I'd like to tell you how Lenya is feeling. With God's help, we've completed the fifth block. Last week 6.02 we had our last chemotherapy session of 5 block. Lenya, thank God, is feeling well. As usual, we're still having problems with our appetite. We had our last tests done before chemotherapy, both a general and biochemical test. The biochemistry is good, the general is more or less normal, and Lenya doesn't require any additional therapy yet. His hemoglobin is low, but everything is stable for now. We hope that with God's help, Lenya will overcome this. He's already been through so much, and there's still a little time left until the end of treatment. We bow deeply to everyone who's helping us save our son. We wish everyone the most important thing in life — good health! Wishing your families well-being and joy!
25.02.2014
I'd like to share some news about Lenya's condition. We're currently in the recovery period after a 5 chemotherapy round. Lenya is doing well. He's happy, plays a lot, and, of course, enjoys regular walks in the fresh air. Every week, we check his blood counts at the hospital, and the doctor examines Lenya. This week, we have a scheduled checkup 27.02.
The next 6 round begins in early March. This round is shorter than 4 and 5, but very difficult. He'll be receiving chemotherapy for three days while hospitalized, and then another week of chemotherapy at the day hospital. During this block, his blood counts are dropping significantly; according to the protocol, we'll be stimulating his white blood cells with Neupogen. We're very worried about how Lenya will handle this block. But now Lenya is gaining strength, eating normally, and is in a very good emotional state, which is very important for him. It's important for us to start the block with good test results, and we'll definitely make it through. Thank you to our dear «Bee» for your continued support. A huge thank you to all the kind, compassionate people who are supporting our son in this battle against this insidious disease. May God grant you good health and peace in all things!
25.03.2014
Hello, dear «Little Bee». I'd like to share some news about Lenya. 9.03 Lenya started 6 chemotherapy. We received chemotherapy for three days, and then a week later, another round of systemic therapy in the day hospital. Lenya tolerated the chemotherapy more or less well. The medications were administered under 24-hour medical supervision, and he received constant antiemetics. But a week before chemotherapy, he had his blood tested — his blood count dropped: white blood cell count 0,3; neutrophil count 0, platelet count 31. With these counts, we are still receiving chemotherapy. The doctor decided not to cancel it and to follow the protocol. The next day, we were hospitalized with a fever 38,7. For four days, we were given antibiotics, injected with Neupogen to boost white blood cells, and tested her blood for viruses and bacteria. Thank God, Lenya's condition has stabilized. Neutrophils are starting to rise, as are all her lab results. This block was difficult for us, but it's all over now. Lenya is feeling well now, we're going for walks a lot, playing, and eating well. Our next block, the seventh, is scheduled for 8 April. We also need to have her hearing checked before chemotherapy, and another MRI is scheduled for 3.04. Our blood results are good today. Until the next block, we'll be having weekly consultations under the doctor's supervision. Regarding the collection for the clinic's invoice for treatment on 24.03 we, with the help of caring people and our dear «Bees» , have raised 15162,31€. We still need to raise 12837,69€. We hope for the help of those who care about others' grief, who will help us close the collection soon. Thank you all for your help and kindness! We wish you good health and joy in everything!
15.04.2014
Hello, dear «Little Bee». I want to share some news about the continuation of your treatment. As I previously wrote, Lenya has started 8.04 on the seventh block. Before the block, we had an MRI of the head, and thank God, everything is normal. We had his hearing checked; Lenya's hearing is impaired in high frequencies. 8.9.04 We received chemotherapy in the ward. Lenya tolerated it well. Now we have two more systems to receive it: tomorrow, 16.04 and 23.04. This is our treatment plan for 7 block. Overall, Lenya is feeling well. His blood counts have dropped after the chemotherapy, but we are continuing the treatment. For now, the doctor is not prescribing white blood cell stimulating injections. With all his blood counts dropping, his appetite isn't very good. Lenya is worried that he can't eat well, because he understands how important good nutrition is for him.
He promised that he would definitely start eating well, that he would try very hard. On the days outside hospital we try to spend more time outdoors, but it all depends on Lenia's changeable mood. As for the fundraising, I want to report that as of 15.04 we still need another 11572€. We want to thank the caring, kind, merciful people who are helping Lenechka with his treatment. May God grant all good people sound health and well-being!
Sincerely, the Muratkov family.
06.05.2014
Hello, our dear foundation, and all the kind hearts interested in Lenya's well-being. Our son successfully completed the seventh round of chemotherapy. He had a drop in his blood counts, some weakness, and, as always, a loss of appetite. Lenya is currently in recovery until 18 May. Our eighth block is scheduled for 18 May. We currently go to the doctor for checkups and blood tests once a week.
Thank you, dear «Little Bee» for your repeated support and help, we are very grateful. Currently, the fundraising is proceeding very slowly, practically at a standstill. We understand this is all due to the very difficult situation in our country, but we are nevertheless worried that there may not be enough money at any moment. As of today, 6.05 we still have the amount we need to raise 10560€. We are really hoping for kind people to help Lenya finish her treatment and get healthy. May God bless all the kind and compassionate people who help sick children, giving them a chance and hope.
Sincerely, the Muratkov family!
09.09.2014
Thank you to all the kind people who supported Lenya in her fight for life. Thank God, our son completed all of his treatment according to protocol. After completing the treatment, thyroid problems developed (a side effect of radiation therapy). After a series of examinations and tests, the endocrinologist prescribed hormones for Lena. Thank God, our son is feeling well. We've been home in Artsyz for two weeks now. He's been surrounded by positive emotions, his home, friends, and relatives. All of this brings Lenya great joy. For a year and a half, he spent time in a foreign country, battling illness, far from his family, and limited in the small joys of childhood. We have a lot of plans now, and we need to catch up. This includes going to the cinema and going to amusement parks in Odessa. To everyone involved in saving my son, our deepest gratitude and a huge thank you. We wish you with all our hearts long-lasting health and peace!!!! To the Foundation " Little Bee" We wish you prosperity and more kind hearts that will not remain indifferent to sick children and help them become healthy. To all the children in the Foundation's care, and to all sick children, we wish recovery, strength, and courage to overcome illness. May God protect you from adversity! With boundless gratitude to you, the Muratkov family!
.JPG)
