Hello everyone, my name is Ivan, I'm 26 years old.
You know, like any other person in our country, I learned to cope with many problems on my own from an early age. And that's probably a good thing, but unfortunately, sometimes obstacles arise along the path of life that a person alone can't overcome. I want to share this with you.
7 September 2017 I was diagnosed with a diagnosis that makes even an adult shudder: – cancer. God forbid anyone finds themselves in a similar situation!
In an instant all my plans, goals and dreams of the work I love, of a happy life and of my own strong family to come simply dissolved!
Before that I enjoyed a healthy life and did a lot of sport. Only a year had passed since I finished my studies and gained the long-awaited profession of a seaman. It was during work that the situation happened which changed my whole life. In the middle of my voyage I accidentally injured a mole on my stomach. And, to be honest, it caused me no trouble or concern. But as I learnt later, it is very, very hard to tell on your own whether a mole is malignant!
For more than a year I have been fighting and trying to be cured of a terrible illness. In my case it is a cancer – melanoma – skin cancer. Behind me are several operations, a year of immunotherapy with interferon, three courses of chemotherapy and two courses of photodynamic therapy. In all that time not one course of treatment gave good results. But we tried every option offered all the same. And then, at an examination on 3 January 2019, a computed tomography scan showed that the disease was beginning to progress. Not many options were left… But we could not resign ourselves to this illness and let it break me. We contacted a clinic in Israel, and a week later I was already there for an appointment.
You know, to hear from doctors that there is a chance of a complete cure and that it is a very good one – that is worth a great deal! After all the necessary medical examinations a course of treatment was prescribed. These are the drugs Mekinist +Tafinlar in standard doses.
Today I am following my doctor's recommendations and have been taking the medicines for three months now. I very much want to share with you the result of the therapy I was offered. After seven weeks of taking the medicines the doctors were pleasantly surprised by the very quick and good result, and I myself do not even know how to convey my joy to you.
The examination confirmed that the metastases in the lymph nodes had shrunk by 50% in all, and that in just seven weeks, after I had been fighting for more than a year almost without result. The professor who is helping me on the way to recovery says that I have at least an 80% chance of a complete cure. This is the first piece of good news about my health in many months.
At this stage I need a radical dissection of the lymph nodes that are still inflamed, and to continue taking Mekinist +Tafinlar for 1 year from the start of treatment. The operation has to be done in the near future. And after it the course of medication must continue for another 9 months. Their monthly cost is approximately 16 000 $.
I know – things are such in our country today that most families are in need of help and support. And I understand that every person has their own plans for life, their own cares, problems and needs. But to complete the course of treatment I ask everyone who cares about me, my family and our problem for support and help, which may be decisive for my life.
Your prayers and support make me stronger, and your material help gives me the chance of good, professional medical treatment. All of it together strengthens my belief that this dark stretch of my life will give way to a bright one, and that kind and happy times will come!
I wish everyone sound health, and may the Lord with all the Heavenly powers keep you safe!!!
Ivan Nikolenko.
For the ways you can help, see here.
21.01.2021
This evening we learned that Ivan is no longer with us.
May he rest in peace!
21.01.2021
Unfortunately, Ivan is currently in palliative care in Italy. We are closing the application, as this treatment is fully covered by the state.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this young man throughout this time.
09.10.2020
Good afternoon!
In these past few months, enormous changes have occurred in my life. So far, we've tried to find medications for treatment at below-market prices in Ukraine, through Turkish companies — wherever possible, not always with receipts.
My mother and I are now in Italy thanks to the very kind and good people who welcomed us into their home like family. Here I have already had many consultations with doctors, examinations, and tests. It might be possible to get into the treatment program. We can't afford to continue buying medications . I'm currently undergoing my sixth course of treatment. I don't know how many more courses I need.
I continue to take anti-cancer medications and some other medications to correct my condition.
I still can't go for a walk in the sun during the day without protective cosmetics and protective clothing. The medication I'm taking causes my skin to burn instantly.
I feel much more confident now. I'm recovering! And even though things aren't happening as quickly as I'd like, the main thing is that everything is moving in the right direction. I truly believe this. We are grateful to everyone and everything who helps us with this, — despite everything, we're moving forward towards our goals!
Thank you!
Sincerely, Ivan.
17.06.2020
Good afternoon everyone!
After the PET CT examination in Feofaniya, I received a report indicating disease progression. To further confirm the report, we sent the PET CT disk to the Research Institute in Kyiv, where everything was confirmed.
After the examination, I was at home for several weeks. Consulting with doctors, we chose the most optimal for us treatment course. In early March, I had an epileptic seizure with loss of consciousness, and a few days later, — another one. We urgently went to Odessa for a brain MRI.
It turned out I had a melanoma metastasis in my brain. I needed urgent surgery. While we were consulting with doctors and looking for a doctor willing to operate, I had three more such seizures. A doctor from the 11th Odesa City Hospital decided to help me. I was admitted to the hospital, prepped, and 7 I had surgery in April. The surgery was a success! I spent two weeks recovering in the hospital, and in April I was discharged home. and 22 We had a hard time getting to Kyiv, as we were considering whether radiation therapy to the surgically treated area of the brain was necessary. After reviewing a number of examinations, it was determined that radiation therapy was not indicated. Based on the findings of the Spizhenko and
''Lisod clinic commissions, we were given a recommendation sheet on the most optimal treatment. Both commissions confirmed the need to resume targeted therapy and also prescribed'' ''Zometa'' due to vertebral damage, a consequence of the disease.
22 In April, I completed a 1 course of treatment with the bisphosphonate ''Zometa'', 4 mg. They prescribed 6 courses, 1 a course every 4 weeks with calcium and vitamin D.3.
To date, I have completed a 3 course of treatment.
Also, as of 6 May, targeted therapy with antitumor drugs ''Zelboraf'' and ''Kotelik'' in combination was resumed.
A follow-up examination and tests are scheduled after two or three courses of treatment with these drugs.
I was also prescribed a postoperative course of medications listed in the discharge summary, which I'll attach.
Before starting targeted therapy, due to the surgery and the destruction of the vertebra, I had to take strong painkillers (''Kaver'', then ''Nalbuphine'' the maximum daily dose, 5 once a day).
All this time, my mother and I were staying with relatives in the Kyiv region.
After starting treatment with bisphosphonates and targeted drugs, I felt much better. After a few days, I was already walking a little, and a week later — I was walking in the yard.
Now my condition is much better; I can already move around and get around without assistance.
We arrived home, in a village in the Izmail district.
A neurologist-epileptologist in Izmail slightly adjusted the treatment course prescribed by neurologists previously due to my fear that the seizures I experienced before the surgery might recur, as I am often irritable, nervous, and sometimes have difficulty calming down.
A course of ''Zometa'' for one month costs approximately 3500 UAH. Plus a doctor's consultation and calcium and vitamin D supplements.3.
Course Cost Targets: ''Zelboraf'' — 107000 UAH and ''Kotelik'' — 88000 UAH
Overall, I feel satisfactory. I walk more, although due to the medication I'm taking, exposure to sun rays can cause skin burns, so I walk early in the morning, late in the evening, or enjoy a rainy day.
Our family's situation is, to put it mildly, difficult, especially financial matters. I'm still unable to work. We are grateful to everyone who is helping us and strengthening our faith that we will survive all of this.
I am very pleased to hear about your experiences, and thank you for your letters, help, and support!
Sincerely, Ivan.
09.01.2020
Good afternoon everyone!
Since my visit to you, I have completed a full course of PDT and VLOC, costing 17000 UAH. and started another course, costing 7000 UAH. BI'm enclosing all receipts with this letter; I haven't picked up the statement yet. I'm continuing to take chitosan, and my monthly expenses are 918 UAH. I also had some blood tests, in particular, liver LDH levels, which have already returned to normal!
Regarding the examination scheduled for February, I would like to inform you that Dr.Doctor T.S. Zavadskaya is referring me for a PET/CT scan. I made an appointment at Kyiv clinic "FEOPHANIA", but they have long waiting lists, and their availability starts in April. We can't wait that long! However, theydidn't tell me that if someone cancels their reservation soon, then they'll be able to reschedule me. So now I waitat information from "FEOPHANIA" about the examination date. FromtoPET CT capacity – about 12500 UAH.
EIf there's any-amount available for me, please help me get through the examination!
I feel fine and lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
Sincerely, Ivan.
25.10.2019
Good afternoon everyone!
In the second half of September, I had a CT scan and MRI of my entire body. The report indicated that I still have three lymph nodes, two of which had increased in size by 5 mm in the three months between scans (I'm attaching the documents to this letter).
In September, I had some more tests. After the tests, we spent a long time deciding which treatment to use. I'm currently following my diet and haven't taken any medications between checkups.
16.10.2019 I was in Kyiv, at the LOK and PDT laser blood therapy clinic. "Kyiv-Zhittya". There, I had blood tests done for a control count, after which I completed the first course of LOK and PDT. The test results showed that my immune system was weakened due to previous treatments and diet. To bring my immunogram readings back to normal, I need to complete a second and third course of LOK and PDT. The cost of the first course of LOK and PDT was 18265 UAH. This price does not include the cost of tickets ’’Izmail – Kyiv’’ and blood tests.
I was prescribed a course of chitosan. Before the next checkup, scheduled for mid-December, I was recommended to undergo two courses of therapy for the immune system correlating effect. The second course is scheduled for 29.10.2019.
I feel fine and lead a healthy and active lifestyle!
A huge thank you all for your help and support!
Sincerely, Ivan.
02.09.2019
Good afternoon everyone!
I'm currently at home. I feel fine and am leading a healthy and active lifestyle! After the checkup in June, I'm not taking any medications. The exceptions are the anti-inflammatory drugs Tamistol and Proteflazid, prescribed to me due to elevated immunoglobulin E levels (based on test results 12.07.2019 and 09.08.2019).
I am currently on a strict diet, and in the second half of September I will be undergoing a full-body CT scan in Odessa.
I am attaching printouts of the tests performed during this period.
A huge thank you all for your help and Support!
Sincerely, Ivan.
