“I’ve never stopped fighting to get him back” says the Ukrainian father, whose son was diagnosed with a brain cancer in 2014, traveled to City International Hospital, HCMC Vietnam after taking his son abroad for end-stage brain tumor treatment.
source Vietnamnet
The journey begins with Hope
H.Volodymyr from Ukraine was a normal, healthy, very happy 12-year-old boy five years ago when he was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiform Brain tumor in 2014. The diagnosis was heartbreaking since H.Volodymyr’d had no real outward symptoms and his diagnosis was utterly incomprehensible. We were told that GBM’s were very rare in children and that H.Volodymyr likely had only a 15% chance of surviving this tumor. His tumor was large and devastating and he had many post-surgical deficits, including a significant left side paralysis. They were told, among other things, that it was unlikely he would walk again.
First Key Decision: FIGHT!
Physicians explained it was a medulloblastoma, an aggressive tumor in the back of the brain, which affects children almost exclusively, with a 0% survival rate and an average prognosis of nine to 12 months. Within five years, H.Volodymyr bravely battled his cancer and he shined through it all, never complaining. He had 2 surgeries to remove the mass first in Israel and, later, in Turkey, followed by several rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, and an endless parade of blood transfusions within days was a mute, paralyzed, incontinent wreck. The father spent over five year following his son’s journey every step of the way, however, the radiation and chemotherapy included in the treatment could harm their brains. Radiation isn’t great for anyone, but especially not for growing brains. The mass appears to have spread to other parts of the child’s brain or body, the brain stem, the neck and chest spinal cord causing paralysis of the limbs, severe respiratory distress and continuous mechanical ventilation.
Desperate and devastating but Mr. A.G - the boy's father still did not surrender to fate, decided to Mr. G. took his son to receive treatment in Vietnam for what he heard of Professor Ta Thanh Van who excels in “Gene mutational analysis for target therapy for Vietnamese patients with cancers”. They arrived in Vietnam and had been to 2 renowned hospitals, one in Hanoi and one in Ho Chi Minh City but got denied from both hospitals.
Patient H.V (Ukrainian) whose life had been turned to rubble by cancer at the age of 17
Second Key Decision: 'Walked around the globe'!
H.Volodymyr was admitted to City International Hospital on 7 February 2019 and given medication to help with his headaches and vomiting. His son he was unable to speak, unable to eat or drink on his own and relied on a food pump and entirely on breathing machine. This young boy had a very low chance of surviving and his father was told to prepare for the worst.
Dr. Dao Thi My Van - Critical Care, explained indepts of City Plus Program at City International Hospital offers a multidisciplinary in-hospital team relies on health professionals from: Neurology-surgery, Oncology, Orthopedic Trauma, Hematology, Positive resuscitation, Rehabilitation physiotherapy, psychiatrists ... Study of medical history, clinical tests and diagnostic imaging necessary, X-Ray films of the chestdemonstrated multiple radiopaque lesions in thebilateral lung fields and, Acute respiratory distress syndrome in traumatic brain injury, Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors.
In addition, we provide a detailed review of the literature of the medulloblastomas with extra-cranial metastase . This level of severity, so he will be monitored for palliative care at the hospital's intensive care department. In the case of post-operative hydrocephalus being developed, which means a build-up of fluid in cavities deep within the brain, so he will be placed on a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt), a medical device that relieves pressure on the brain caused by fluid accumulation.
Father-Mr.Galush Chenko and son’s follow-up examination and his Intensive care team, City International Hospital
Some Great Reasons to choose Palliative Care at City International Hospital
City International Hospital's comprehensive palliative care process that was performed immediately after the patient was hospitalized included: complete controlled ventilation, broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment of pneumonia-based, active nutrition via the gastrointestinal tract. and veins, treatment of bone marrow failure due to malignancy, blood transfusions, respiratory therapy and exercise, osteoporosis care, general support. Due to the long-term first-rate inhaler medication, doctors decided to open the trachea for patients to help quickly improve the condition of ventilator-related pneumonia.
Three days into treatment, infection and electrolyte water disorders were improved, patients with fever, nutrition through the digestive tract were well absorbed, fresh patients were better exposed. Up to now, after 3 months of treatment in the intensive care department, the patient's condition has been stabilized, significantly improving all clinical conditions except respiratory failure due to irreversible brain injury
Dr. Dao Thi My Van, deputy medical director of City International Hospital shared Palliative care is holistic care, often also referred to as the mind/body connection. Palliative care center at City International Hospital, first introduced in 2016, provides holistic care covers all aspects of the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients who have chronic, debilitating and life-threatening illness. With conventional medical, nursing and allied health therapy, holistic palliative care also considers complementary therapies, which may include massage, aromatherapy, relaxation, meditation, acupressure, or art and music therapy. Palliative care professionals have specialist knowledge, skills and expertise in care of people living with a life threatening illness, and their families and carers, who have health care needs which require complex care, including management of symptoms and pain
Doctor - Patient and Family communication using Google translate
Mr. A.G, the Father grabbed his words “I’ve never stopped fighting to get him back”. My role as a father is now to smooth the path for my son. Sometimes literally, as he struggles to negotiate uneven terrain; sometimes by predicting and averting mental challenges and obstacles. During H.V’s long journey I felt I could move mountains with the sheer force of my willpower. I believe this is my last decision: City International Hospital where I believe their focus is to offer a service that will enhance a person’s dignity and independence. They provide active comprehensive care of the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients who have chronic, debilitating and life-threatening illness: medical bed, medications related to the hospice diagnosis and any other related conditions, Oxygen concentrator and portable tanks for power outages, Incontinence supplies.
Ukraine television broadcasting News of the survival journey of Father and son whose life had been turned to rubble by cancer at the age of 17
Bringing Others Hope
After my son’s diagnosis, I finally realized exactly how underfunded childhood cancer research is. The father said he knows his son has a long road ahead, though my son and I decided that we would do anything and everything in order to help spread the word and bring awareness to the event. He wanted to show other kids that he’s standing with them and knows what they’re going through. We want to encourage and inspire other people both to FIGHT and HOPE
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