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Taras Grabchuk - news from Nuremberg

2011 09 05 Views: 2569


 

For a long time, I could not make myself turn on the computer and write about the test results. I know I should have done it before. I know that back in Ukraine a lot of people keep asking how Taras is doing, they help us to raise the money for the treatment,  and pray for us. Several times I tried to write, but I could never find the strength to do it.

 

Ok, now I must write because many long and exhausting months of fighting for Taras’ life are ahead.

 

Of Friday September 2, doctors finished all the medical tests in Nuremberg Clinic.  In the morning, Taras had his last MIBG-scan, and after that I met with the doctors.

 

Unfortunately, results are not comforting. Of course, I knew what the doctors were going to tell us, but till the very last moment I hoped for a miracle. All these two weeks in Germany every second I envisioned that  doctors will give me good news, that they will tell me that the tumor is getting smaller or even disappeared…. Taras looks like a healthy boy and he is always smiling. With great joy, he plays with toys and show them to his dad and his sister via Skype.

 

The doctors confirmed the relapse. Metastases were found  in the stomach, bones, and bone marrow. The tumor is aggressive, and it is spreading very fast. Taras needs to begin chemotherapy immediately. According to doctors’ words, if we wait for two more weeks, it may be too late.

 

The recommended protocol of treatment consists of chemotherapy, MIBG therapy,  surgery to remove the tumor, and bone marrow transplant.

 

We begin the chemotherapy here, in Nuremberg, in the same clinic were tests were done. We did not have any choice because we had to begin immediately. If we were transfered to any other hospital, we would lose time for the organizational matters.

 

The German doctors proposed and we agreed to the following scheme: the first two chemotherapy sessions will be administered in Nuremberg. During this time we have to decide where we will continue the treatment. We have a list of ten hospitals in Germany that have experience in treating Taras’ disease.  So we have twenty days to decide on a clinic and to raise the money.

 

We have the money for the first two chemotherapy sessions. The first invoice will be for 20 000 Euros (10 000 Euros per chemotherapy session).  We will also have a refund of 500 Euro for the overpayment of the medical testing.

 

On Monday and Tuesday, Taras will have a preparatory therapy, and on Wednesday he will start his first chemo.  And later his hair will fall out, his blood tests results will be poor, he will lose his appetite…

 

Uliana Grabchiuk.

 

 

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