My name is Olha Oliinyk.
On 29 October 2019 a miracle happened in our family – our long-awaited and only son Sashenka came into the world. He was born a healthy, strong boy with no sign of illness.
After 9 months we began to notice that the little boy's left eye squinted slightly and that the pupil had started to glow. We went at once to an ophthalmologist at the B. Ya. Reznik clinic, and from there we were referred for examination to the V. P. Filatov Institute.
On 12 August 2020, after all the examinations and tests, the diagnosis was made: bilateral retinoblastoma and detachment of the retina of the left eye. In the left eye the tumour is very large, and a course of chemotherapy had to be started immediately.
On 13 and 14 August we went through the first course of chemotherapy at the Odesa Regional Children's Clinical Hospital.
After 21 days we went to the Kyiv clinic «Okhmatdyt» for a repeat examination. On 7 September and 1 October Sashenka received his second and third courses of chemotherapy.
So far two courses of chemotherapy have given a very good result – the tumour has shrunk. Now, at this stage, it is important for us to choose the right and effective treatment in order to save both of the child's eyes and restore his sight as far as possible.
For this we approached the clinic Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin (Lausanne, Switzerland). According to the doctors there is a chance, but treatment must be started immediately.
Sashenka needs to go through an expensive course of treatment which at present we cannot pay for in full.
We ask everyone who cares to help save our little son! He is only 11 months old, and already he has to fight such a terrible illness.
Please support us! We kindly ask you to – Together, let's give our son a chance at a happy childhood!
We will be sincerely grateful for any help!
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
For ways to help, see here.
08.09.2021
Due to the fact that the Odessa Regional Council allocated UAH for Sasha's treatment 300 000 , the boy's application is closed. Thank you to everyone who helped Sasha all this time!
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
27.08.2021
Hello!
26 In August, Sasha and I had a routine checkup at the HôPital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin (Lausanne, Switzerland).
According to the examination results, there is no tumor activity; everything is calm, thank God!
Oncology-wise, everything is stable, and we really hope and believe that it will stay that way!
At the end of September, we will have another checkup under anesthesia and a scheduled MRI of the brain and orbits.
We thank everyone for the opportunity to keep up with our scheduled monthly checkups!
This is very important and necessary at this stage of Sasha's recovery!
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
21.07.2021
Hello!
15 On July 20, Sasha and I had a routine examination at the Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin (Lausanne, Switzerland) with Professor Munier Francis. The flight this time was difficult, but the outcome at the clinic was good.
I had surgery - an examination under general anesthesia of my left and right eyes - the conclusion was that the tumors were inactive, everything was fine, thank God! The oncological changes were favorable. There were no relapses or new tumors. There was no need for treatment. My eye pressure was normal.
The next examination was scheduled for the end of August!
Thank you all for the opportunity to keep up with my scheduled checkups and examinations!
Thank you all for your support and good wishes!
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
15.06.2021
Hello, our dear friends and supporters!
11 On June, Sasha had his regular checkup at the HôPital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin (Lausanne, Switzerland) with Professor Munier Francis.
According to the examination results:
The right eye is healthy, everything is stable;
The left eye is also normal; this was our first checkup, when the professor said «Currently, there is no activity, everything is fine», no treatment has been administered.
This is the first real victory! Today 10 we have been fighting for our Sasha's recovery for months!
It's too early to relax; we will continue our fight. We still have a long road of rehabilitation and vision restoration ahead, and most importantly, monthly eye exams, which are very important!!!
The next checkup is scheduled in a month, during which time we need to actively train the left eye.
Thank you to everyone who is with us!
We sincerely thank everyone for the opportunity to continue with treatment!
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
08.05.2021
Hello!
6 In May, Sasha had another examination and treatment at the HôPital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin (Lausanne, Switzerland) with Professor Munier Francis.
According to the examination results:
The right eye is healthy, everything is stable, to consolidate the condition, the professor administered a course of cryotherapy;
The situation in the left eye is improving, they did another course of thermotherapy and cryotherapy. They can't administer a large dose at once, so they do it in portions each time; the retina has completely reattached.
The next examination is scheduled in a month.
Every checkup and consistent treatment courses are very important to us right now; Sasha's future vision depends on them.
We sincerely thank everyone for the opportunity to continue treatment!
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
05.04.2021
Hello!
First of all, we want to thank everyone for their help!
Thank you for the opportunity to be treated at the Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin (Switzerland).
We have some news.
1 In April, Sasha and I had our regular checkup and treatment at the HôPital Ophthalmique Jules-Gonin (Lausanne, Switzerland) with Professor Munier Francis.
According to the examination results:
The right eye is healthy, only checkups and examinations are needed;
The left eye also underwent a course of thermotherapy; there is a small tumor that needs to be reduced; the retina is completely reattached.
We had an MRI of the orbits and brain; the results will be known after a discussion at a medical consultation.
The next checkup is scheduled for a month.
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
03.03.2021
Hello!
Sasha and I were 1 checked up on March 20 at the Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin clinic (Lausanne, Switzerland) by Professor Munier Francis. The examination showed that the right eye is healthy, only a follow-up. A second course of cryotherapy and thermotherapy was prescribed for the left eye. Additional tests were scheduled, including vision testing, intraocular pressure testing, and an MRI. The next check-up is in a month.
We were also told good news. The German foundation “Kinder”to which we sent our documents for assistance, sent a certificate for our Sasha's treatment to the clinic. The foundation will be able to partially cover the treatment in the amount of 10 thousand euros. This money will be enough for our next course of treatment in April and an MRI.
Thank you all for your help!
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
08.02.2021
Good afternoon everyone.
We 4 came home in February. Sasha completed another course of treatment. His right eye is fine; this time they only examined it; no treatment was performed. The left eye still needs treatment; unfortunately, it's more complicated. We did cryotherapy and thermotherapy, and decided to try chemotherapy-free this time. We'll check the results at the next appointment.
Thank you all for your help; thanks to you, we were able to complete another course of treatment!
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
20.01.2021
Good afternoon everyone.
We arrived 10 on January. So far, everything is stable; we've completed another course of treatment. We did cryotherapy and thermotherapy on the right eye; there's another active tumor there, and we're treating that. The left eye also received another course of intra-arterial chemotherapy, bringing the total to 3 of such courses. Our next checkup is in 1 February. We will monitor the effects of 3 chemotherapy courses. God willing, we won't need any more chemotherapy, only cryotherapy and thermotherapy for both eyes.
Thank you so much for your support and help!
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
17.11.2020
Good afternoon!
From 5 to 13 November, we underwent our first course of treatment in Lausanne, Switzerland.
At the Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Sasha underwent treatment for her right eye, namely – thermotherapy and cryotherapy. One tumor remains in her right eye, out of five.
At the Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Sasha underwent treatment for her left eye, namely – interarterial chemotherapy.
We are now at home, undergoing rehabilitation after the last treatment and preparing for the next stage. Sasha is feeling stable, taking restorative medications and undergoing tests.
There's every chance we can save the child's eye and restore his vision, and to do that, we need to continue treatment at this clinic.
We ask all caring people to help us continue Sasha's treatment!!!
Unfortunately, we don't have the financial means to cover the full course of treatment.
Sincerely, the Oleynik family.
