28 January 2013. Denys Petranov is only three months old. Doctors have diagnosed bilateral retinoblastoma (a malignant tumour) in both of his little eyes. They are prepared to treat the disease in Germany, but the treatment is very expensive. If little Denys does not receive qualified medical help today, right now, he faces permanent blindness.
We have received a letter from Liliia Oleksandrivna Petranova, Denys's mother.
This is what she writes:
Our little son was born beautiful and healthy, and we could not get enough of him. But 21 December 2012 became a real apocalypse for our family: at a routine check-up at the clinic, Denys, who at that time was not yet three months old, was given a terrible diagnosis by the ophthalmologist: bilateral retinoblastoma, which had spread to both eyes.
We knew nothing about this disease. We began looking for information on the Internet and in medical literature, and talking to parents whose children had been through this dreadful illness and had achieved positive results in treatment. The decision was taken unequivocally: to save our child in Germany.
On 7 January 2013, at the Charite university clinic in Berlin, doctors examined the fundus of the eye and confirmed Denys's diagnosis — bilateral retinoblastoma of the eyes. The attending doctor warned us that, fortunately, the disease had not been diagnosed too late and something could still be changed, but treatment had to begin immediately.
A negative factor, in the opinion of the German specialists, is that Denys's tumours are located in the centre of the retina, so he has no central vision and the child cannot see. In the course of treatment the tumours should shrink, and the little boy's sight may partly return — he will be able to find his way about to some extent. The treatment ahead of us is long, more than one year. To begin with, four courses of general chemotherapy have to be completed. One course of chemotherapy costs 35 300 UAH. After the second course the fundus of Denys's eye will have to be examined again under anaesthesia, to see how the tumour behaves under the prescribed drugs.
On 15-17 January we already received the first block of chemotherapy at Helios Kliniken in Berlin. Now we are having blood tests monitored here. The little boy is resting and his body is recovering for the next block of chemotherapy. Denys is still small and understands nothing, but he bears all the procedures bravely.
Staying and being treated in Germany is very, very expensive, and, unfortunately, all our family's means are exhausted as of today. Please help Denys keep his little eyes, so that he can see the sun and his mother, so that he can enjoy life, and we with him.
Thank you to the advertising agency «Bomond» for its constant help in placing social advertising. Since 1 February 2013 billboards with information about Denys have been displayed in Odesa.
A huge thank you to the online shop ’SHOK’ for placing a banner on its website.
News about Denis from his parents:
27.04.2016
"Hello. We'd like to write a few lines about us. Denis's vision is stable; we regularly visit the doctor who treated us from birth in Berlin. These are still checkups under anesthesia, but they're not as frequent as before; the doctor gives us a break until he's 5 months old. Denis is growing and developing like all children, delighting us with something new every day. At 3 years old, he knows the Russian and English alphabets and loves to count. We are grateful to everyone who helped us get treatment on time, and a huge thank you to the foundation for their support! Thank you for the opportunity to live and see with both eyes!"
31.01.2013
He's feeling well, eating better, and staying awake more. It's gotten warmer in Berlin, and we've been spending more time outdoors. We go to the clinic every three days for blood tests, and our numbers have improved slightly. We're hoping they'll continue to improve, as we're scheduled for our second round of chemotherapy in a week. Our pediatrician says Denis is a strong boy and will handle everything.
4 February 2013
Here's the news about Denis: we had blood tests on Monday. The doctors say his blood counts are very good, and we'll be cleared for the second round of chemotherapy tomorrow (5 February). We'll be hospitalized for three days. During this time, we will be receiving chemotherapy via IV drip. Doctors will also be connected to special monitors to monitor Denis's pulse and respiratory rate.
11 February 2013
Last week, we began the second round of chemotherapy, and by the end of the week, Denis and I were allowed to go home. He was feeling relatively well, eating a little less well, and becoming more whiny. But yesterday evening, our temperature rose, and we had to return to the hospital for inpatient treatment. The doctors immediately took blood tests and ruled out a viral injection. The rise in temperature is most likely related to a sharp drop in blood counts. The doctors gave Denis IV fluids to improve his condition. We hope he'll be allowed home soon.
14 February 2013
Today we went to the clinic for some tests. His blood counts dropped, but were within the normal range, and we were sent home until Tuesday. Fortunately, his temperature hasn't risen, and Denis is feeling well. We're really looking forward to his upcoming eye exam.
18 February 2013
Denis is happy and energetic, although he has a cold (there's a virus circulating in our parents' house, and no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't protect him). Of course, we're worried, because 22 We have a meeting with the anesthesiologist in February to discuss what kind of anesthesia to use 25 for an eye exam in February. And if the runny nose doesn't go away, we won't be allowed under anesthesia. 26 The third round of chemotherapy is scheduled for February, but it could also be postponed, which is also undesirable. Let's hope everything goes well and we'll complete all the procedures.
26 February 2013
We are writing to you from the clinic, from the ward. Denys is receiving his third block of chemotherapy. Yesterday an examination of the fundus of the eye was carried out under anaesthesia at the Charite clinic; 8 children from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus were examined. At 8 in the morning our Denys was taken second into the operating theatre for anaesthesia and examinations; we waited in the corridor for about an hour, and to us it felt like an eternity. An hour later our attending doctor came out and said that, just as he had expected, — the tumours had decreased in volume, the chemotherapy had given a positive result. But 4 more blocks are needed, 6 in total, in order to act on the bad cells as much as possible and get a good result.
Unfortunately, small tumor particles broke off and remained in the vitreous humor, making them difficult to treat, which is of great concern to both the doctor and us. The doctor advised that cryotherapy and laser coagulation are necessary, for which we provided written consent. He also advised that examinations are required before each subsequent chemotherapy cycle. Denis came out of anesthesia a couple of hours later. His right eye is swollen from the procedures and is difficult to open. The next examination date has already been set for — 13 March. We are very hopeful that we will continue to see positive progress, and that the tumors will shrink as much as possible and stop growing.
25 March 2013
From 19 to 21 March, we were in the hospital undergoing another round of chemotherapy. Our Denis is doing well! Like a baby who has just completed his fourth round of chemotherapy, he's doing well. Now we'll be going to the clinic for observation, catheter flushing, and tests. The doctors will be monitoring his overall condition. Last week (13 March), we had another eye exam under anesthesia. The doctor was very pleased that even after the third round, the tumors had shrunk in size; typically, significant changes aren't observed after the second round. He noted that we now need to document the results, and in international practice, this is six rounds. We didn't undergo any simultaneous cryotherapy or laser treatment; the doctor didn't see the need for it. He also said that the retinal detachment Denis experienced in January has settled back into place. He will now recover and prepare for the fifth cycle.
12 May 2013
Denis completed all six chemotherapy cycles prescribed by the doctor. The last cycle of chemotherapy began with a delay of 3 days because his blood counts didn't return to normal in time. He is currently recovering from the last cycle of chemotherapy, and surgery to remove the porta-catheter is scheduled for the end of May. Further treatment will be scheduled in a month, after a follow-up examination. A new invoice has already been issued - 615,90 EUR (approximately 6500 UAH, excluding transportation costs, food, and accommodation). We sincerely hope that those who supported the family for six months will not abandon them and will continue to support them as much as possible. After all, the treatment will take several years. Denis will be monitored by German doctors until he turns seven. For the first year after completion of treatment, follow-up examinations are required monthly, then every two to three months, and so on for 7 years.
In connection with the last round of chemotherapy, the clinic staff decorated the counter with balloons and presented Denis with a bunny. See section «Gallery». The parents believe and sincerely hope that the treatment the boy has undergone will be effective. All of Denis's family is eagerly awaiting his discharge from the hospital, when he and his mom and dad can fly home to Odessa.
7 June 2013
On Friday, Denis had surgery to remove his port. We stayed overnight in the hospital, and the next day, they changed the dressing and sent us home. The surgery went well, with no complications. Now, we can roll over onto our tummies and bathe. However, Denis took longer than usual to recover from the anesthesia, so we had to wake him up. We also had an ultrasound of all of his organs, and the doctor said everything was fine, and the chemotherapy was being eliminated well.
He recommended having this check-up ultrasound every 3 months. On Monday 03.06. we had another anesthesia – an eye examination. Denisik tolerated the anesthesia well. The examination lasted about 40 minutes, then the doctor came out and said everything was fine, the tumors were continuing to regress. Now we're beginning a monitoring and observation period. It's hard to say how they'll do, because they've been under chemotherapy this whole time, and now they won't be. The next examination is scheduled for 15 July.
3 February 2014
Good evening! This is Denis's mother. This week we went to Germany for a routine checkup with Dr. Welerding, who has been fighting to save our son's eyes for over a year. The examination results are very good: the tumors are inactive, everything is stable. No procedures are necessary. However, despite this, the doctor gave us a break of 7 weeks until the next examination, as the risk of recurrence is high. The situation needs to be monitored for up to 6 -7 years, while the eye is forming and growing. The doctor also recommended patching Denis's eyes one at a time with a special patch; this is the only way to improve his vision now. This eye training is necessary for up to 4 hours a day.
Denis doesn't like this procedure; he's learned to deftly rip off the patches. We try our best to distract him during this time with toys, books, and his favorite cartoons. More than 6 months have passed since the chemotherapy cycles. While in Odessa, we regularly have blood tests and abdominal ultrasounds. During this time, our son has grown stronger, and Denisochka is feeling well. At one year and 2 months old, he began walking independently, is developing, and is as playful as all his peers. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped and continues to help Denisochka with his treatment.
Sincerely, the Petranov family.
See the receipts report here
Aid provided - 65 000,00 UAH:
21.01.2014 Aid provided for treatment - 15 000,00 UAH
25.07.2013 Treatment assistance provided - 25 000,00 UAH
06.03.2013 Treatment assistance provided - 15 000,00 UAH
04.03.2013 Treatment assistance provided - 10 000,00 UAH
