Help Sergei Pekh Fight Brain Cancer
Donation protected
August 29, 2019
After a very difficult year, I am required, by reality, to formally announce the passing of my husband, July 12, 2019.
He truly was an amazing man, husband, and father. He had his flaws, as we all do, but they were minor compared to his positive attributes and characteristics. His inner strength, loyalty, commitment, and sound mind continued to be displayed throughout his illness. He approached his illness with dignity. He remained kind, warm, and rarely complained. He loved us deeply and we felt it.
I want to thank each of you for all your support and for those of you who were able to attend the funeral. I hope, through the stories that were shared, you were able to get to know Sergei more.
He is deeply missed by his family and there is an enormous gap in our lives without him. We have received unending support from his community of loved ones, family, friends and coworkers. As a result, we do not feel alone and we continue to feel his presence around us.
Our journey with Sergei this year has only reinforced our appreciation for the beauty that exists in this world. I am so ever grateful that Sergei was able to experience the love that existed for him by witnessing the support his family received. Thank you.
Memory Eternal.
- SP
----
Sergei's wife and children continue to receive inquiries about how people may be able to help them now that Sergei has passed. They have stated that they have received plenty of support and simply receiving "check-ins" and help with some of the tasks Sergei used to manage, is more than enough.
However, if you still want to help in some way then please consider contributing to the children's RESP. I can help facilitate this or you can contact Sergei's wife directly. Alternatively, if the GoFundMe page is still active (at the time you are reading this), then funds can be sent here.
- Julie MacLeod
----
SERGEI'S STORY
We started this GoFundMe page 3 months ago but didn't post and share until now as we have been working hard to research the treatment we are now pursuing and putting into place for Sergei.
Sergei and his family lived a stable and law-abiding life, spending time raising two young children, building two careers, and focusing on future goals. This stability rapidly disappeared in June 2018 when Sergei’s health changed.
Since June 2018, Sergei’s family has been trying to adjust to the rapid changes that have occurred and the new demands that often come with single parenting and caring for a loved one with a significant illness. Sergei’s family and friends have pulled together since that time and have contributed greatly to help with personal care, medical research, getting tasks done, and ensuring the kids still have some normalcy in their lives.
These life-altering changes all started about 1-2 months prior to Sergei’s diagnosis when he began to experience double vision. Although he sought professional help and treatment through an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, no cause for the double-vision was identified. Since there were no other symptoms, it was unclear how Sergei could proceed. Then, one afternoon while at work, he experienced a migraine that caused him to collapse on the floor and be taken to the ER. A CT scan was offered by the hospital, but his family chose to pay for a private MRI to gain better diagnostic imaging. This MRI showed a mass in the middle of his brain within the space of one ventricle just above his brain stem. By the scans, the doctors were hopeful that the tumour was benign. To confirm this and to help determine best treatment options, a sample of the tumour was taken for biopsy. The tumour quickly grew and due to its location and size, the tumour created a blockage, which prevented proper drainage of his cerebrospinal fluid. This led to the development of hydrocephalus, which caused increased cranial swelling and pressure, and the requirement for continued hospitalization. The family took shifts and Sergei was fortunate to have never had to spend any time alone while in the hospital. One week later, neurosurgery was performed and an alternative passageway for cerebrospinal fluid drainage was created. This made it possible to reduce the significant swelling Sergei was experiencing and it was hoped that this procedure would prevent the need for a shunt implantation.
On July 9, 2018, the biopsy results came back and the preliminary diagnosis was Anaplastic Astrocytoma Grade III (an aggressive malignant tumour). During this time, Sergei's condition was rapidly declining - his double vision and headaches were getting worse and he was experiencing swelling in his face. The neurosurgeon ordered another MRI and discovered the tumour had grown about 1 cubic centimetre in just 3 weeks. Initial hopes of the neurosurgeon were to avoid resection surgery due to the delicate location of the tumour, but this new growth provided no other choice than to move forward with tumour resection surgery. The tumour was putting pressure on Sergei's sleep centre in the brain and there was risk he may not wake up from sleep if the tumour wasn't removed.
This was high-risk surgery and Sergei and his family only had a couple of weeks to prepare for the worst and get their affairs in order. On July 23, 2018 after 14 hours of surgery, the neurosurgery team were only able to remove 50-60% of the tumour, again, because of its attachment to delicate structures like the brainstem and pons (which are responsible for basic functions like heartbeat, temperature regulation, breathing, sleep, etc.).
The doctors performed another biopsy and our worst fears were realized – Sergei's tumour was Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM Grade IV). While very rare (0.2% chance of getting it), this is the MOST AGGRESSIVE form of brain cancer. It can cause different symptoms and disabilities for each person depending on size and location in the brain. In Sergei's case, the tumour is located right on the brain stem. The brain stem controls breathing and heart rate, as well as the nerves and muscles we use to see, hear, walk, talk, and eat.
A week after his partial tumour resection, Sergei underwent a third brain surgery because his CSF fluid became blocked again and the alternative passageway was not draining enough. To correct this drainage issue, a shunt was implanted from his brain into his stomach. Post-surgery recovery (from both surgeries) has been difficult for Sergei as it has left him with severe speech, vision and mobility deficiencies along with cognitive disabilities and memory problems. As a result, Sergei requires 24/7 care.
Within a couple of weeks of the July 23, 2018 surgery, Sergei’s tumour showed further growth, and his neurosurgeon ordered an urgent referral to The Cross Cancer Institute. The next step was to move forward with the current standard of care treatment in Canada, which after surgery includes six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, followed by 12 months of additional chemotherapy. The expected median survival time for most patients going through standard of care is between 12-18 months. This was not acceptable for Sergei’s family and significant effort was put towards researching treatment options beyond the 'Standard of Care.'
In August 2018, Sergei began his radiation and chemotherapy treatment, along with highly researched alternative therapies and treatments that would help enhance the effectiveness of the radiation and chemo. These alternative therapies and treatments also provided protection of Sergei’s healthy cells from the damaging effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
His follow up MRI scan after the above combined treatments showed his tumour had shrunk by 1 cubic centimetre! The oncologist was blown away by this "miracle" that Sergei's tumour had shrunk! With GBM it is not common to experience tumour shrinkage. Usually treatments will just stabilize the condition and stop future tumour growth.
This was great news and provided validation of the efforts and treatments utilized, however, because these treatments were very aggressive, his liver function started to decline and as a result, Sergei required a break from all treatment options. This was done to allow his liver to recover and to ensure it was not overtaxed.
This led us to researching other, less invasive and yet more effective, treatments. It is extremely hard to qualify for a clinical trial but after extensive research, we have finally found a new immunotherapy treatment opportunity from Germany. This treatment involves creating an Autologous Tumour Cell Vaccine. In essence, T-cells will be extracted from Sergei's blood and then "trained" to recognize his specific tumour. Once this training is complete, the T-cells will be put back into his body in the form of a vaccine. Because Sergei is too weak to travel to Germany himself, we have been able to make arrangements for the medical team to come to Canada to treat him.
This treatment comes with the high price tag of $45,000 but it has promise of stabilizing his condition and increasing his quality of life.
The family is now reaching out for financial support as their efforts to date have shown effectiveness and have helped stabilize Serge’s condition. However, financial resources have begun to run out, with the total cost over the past 10 months being just over $100,000. The costs are so high as many treatments, herbs, and special diet requirements are NOT covered by health care and insurance.
At the moment, many of the alternative treatments and medicines have been put on hold to allow the time needed for Sergei's liver to recover. The risk during this time, however, is that his tumour may begin to grow again. The vaccine treatment from Germany is showing great promise for Sergei and we need to give him this chance at beating this awful disease.
We would like to ask you to help out with any amount that you're comfortable with to make this treatment happen for Sergei as soon as possible in order to give him the best odds at beating this disease. Sergei is a loving husband, a devoted dad to two beautiful children, a beloved son, a cherished brother, a doting uncle to 3 nieces and nephews, and a caring friend.
Sergei's family is eternally grateful for all of your continuous, thoughts, support, and care through this awful time in their lives.
After a very difficult year, I am required, by reality, to formally announce the passing of my husband, July 12, 2019.
He truly was an amazing man, husband, and father. He had his flaws, as we all do, but they were minor compared to his positive attributes and characteristics. His inner strength, loyalty, commitment, and sound mind continued to be displayed throughout his illness. He approached his illness with dignity. He remained kind, warm, and rarely complained. He loved us deeply and we felt it.
I want to thank each of you for all your support and for those of you who were able to attend the funeral. I hope, through the stories that were shared, you were able to get to know Sergei more.
He is deeply missed by his family and there is an enormous gap in our lives without him. We have received unending support from his community of loved ones, family, friends and coworkers. As a result, we do not feel alone and we continue to feel his presence around us.
Our journey with Sergei this year has only reinforced our appreciation for the beauty that exists in this world. I am so ever grateful that Sergei was able to experience the love that existed for him by witnessing the support his family received. Thank you.
Memory Eternal.
- SP
----
Sergei's wife and children continue to receive inquiries about how people may be able to help them now that Sergei has passed. They have stated that they have received plenty of support and simply receiving "check-ins" and help with some of the tasks Sergei used to manage, is more than enough.
However, if you still want to help in some way then please consider contributing to the children's RESP. I can help facilitate this or you can contact Sergei's wife directly. Alternatively, if the GoFundMe page is still active (at the time you are reading this), then funds can be sent here.
- Julie MacLeod
----
SERGEI'S STORY
We started this GoFundMe page 3 months ago but didn't post and share until now as we have been working hard to research the treatment we are now pursuing and putting into place for Sergei.
Sergei and his family lived a stable and law-abiding life, spending time raising two young children, building two careers, and focusing on future goals. This stability rapidly disappeared in June 2018 when Sergei’s health changed.
Since June 2018, Sergei’s family has been trying to adjust to the rapid changes that have occurred and the new demands that often come with single parenting and caring for a loved one with a significant illness. Sergei’s family and friends have pulled together since that time and have contributed greatly to help with personal care, medical research, getting tasks done, and ensuring the kids still have some normalcy in their lives.
These life-altering changes all started about 1-2 months prior to Sergei’s diagnosis when he began to experience double vision. Although he sought professional help and treatment through an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, no cause for the double-vision was identified. Since there were no other symptoms, it was unclear how Sergei could proceed. Then, one afternoon while at work, he experienced a migraine that caused him to collapse on the floor and be taken to the ER. A CT scan was offered by the hospital, but his family chose to pay for a private MRI to gain better diagnostic imaging. This MRI showed a mass in the middle of his brain within the space of one ventricle just above his brain stem. By the scans, the doctors were hopeful that the tumour was benign. To confirm this and to help determine best treatment options, a sample of the tumour was taken for biopsy. The tumour quickly grew and due to its location and size, the tumour created a blockage, which prevented proper drainage of his cerebrospinal fluid. This led to the development of hydrocephalus, which caused increased cranial swelling and pressure, and the requirement for continued hospitalization. The family took shifts and Sergei was fortunate to have never had to spend any time alone while in the hospital. One week later, neurosurgery was performed and an alternative passageway for cerebrospinal fluid drainage was created. This made it possible to reduce the significant swelling Sergei was experiencing and it was hoped that this procedure would prevent the need for a shunt implantation.
On July 9, 2018, the biopsy results came back and the preliminary diagnosis was Anaplastic Astrocytoma Grade III (an aggressive malignant tumour). During this time, Sergei's condition was rapidly declining - his double vision and headaches were getting worse and he was experiencing swelling in his face. The neurosurgeon ordered another MRI and discovered the tumour had grown about 1 cubic centimetre in just 3 weeks. Initial hopes of the neurosurgeon were to avoid resection surgery due to the delicate location of the tumour, but this new growth provided no other choice than to move forward with tumour resection surgery. The tumour was putting pressure on Sergei's sleep centre in the brain and there was risk he may not wake up from sleep if the tumour wasn't removed.
This was high-risk surgery and Sergei and his family only had a couple of weeks to prepare for the worst and get their affairs in order. On July 23, 2018 after 14 hours of surgery, the neurosurgery team were only able to remove 50-60% of the tumour, again, because of its attachment to delicate structures like the brainstem and pons (which are responsible for basic functions like heartbeat, temperature regulation, breathing, sleep, etc.).
The doctors performed another biopsy and our worst fears were realized – Sergei's tumour was Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM Grade IV). While very rare (0.2% chance of getting it), this is the MOST AGGRESSIVE form of brain cancer. It can cause different symptoms and disabilities for each person depending on size and location in the brain. In Sergei's case, the tumour is located right on the brain stem. The brain stem controls breathing and heart rate, as well as the nerves and muscles we use to see, hear, walk, talk, and eat.
A week after his partial tumour resection, Sergei underwent a third brain surgery because his CSF fluid became blocked again and the alternative passageway was not draining enough. To correct this drainage issue, a shunt was implanted from his brain into his stomach. Post-surgery recovery (from both surgeries) has been difficult for Sergei as it has left him with severe speech, vision and mobility deficiencies along with cognitive disabilities and memory problems. As a result, Sergei requires 24/7 care.
Within a couple of weeks of the July 23, 2018 surgery, Sergei’s tumour showed further growth, and his neurosurgeon ordered an urgent referral to The Cross Cancer Institute. The next step was to move forward with the current standard of care treatment in Canada, which after surgery includes six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, followed by 12 months of additional chemotherapy. The expected median survival time for most patients going through standard of care is between 12-18 months. This was not acceptable for Sergei’s family and significant effort was put towards researching treatment options beyond the 'Standard of Care.'
In August 2018, Sergei began his radiation and chemotherapy treatment, along with highly researched alternative therapies and treatments that would help enhance the effectiveness of the radiation and chemo. These alternative therapies and treatments also provided protection of Sergei’s healthy cells from the damaging effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
His follow up MRI scan after the above combined treatments showed his tumour had shrunk by 1 cubic centimetre! The oncologist was blown away by this "miracle" that Sergei's tumour had shrunk! With GBM it is not common to experience tumour shrinkage. Usually treatments will just stabilize the condition and stop future tumour growth.
This was great news and provided validation of the efforts and treatments utilized, however, because these treatments were very aggressive, his liver function started to decline and as a result, Sergei required a break from all treatment options. This was done to allow his liver to recover and to ensure it was not overtaxed.
This led us to researching other, less invasive and yet more effective, treatments. It is extremely hard to qualify for a clinical trial but after extensive research, we have finally found a new immunotherapy treatment opportunity from Germany. This treatment involves creating an Autologous Tumour Cell Vaccine. In essence, T-cells will be extracted from Sergei's blood and then "trained" to recognize his specific tumour. Once this training is complete, the T-cells will be put back into his body in the form of a vaccine. Because Sergei is too weak to travel to Germany himself, we have been able to make arrangements for the medical team to come to Canada to treat him.
This treatment comes with the high price tag of $45,000 but it has promise of stabilizing his condition and increasing his quality of life.
The family is now reaching out for financial support as their efforts to date have shown effectiveness and have helped stabilize Serge’s condition. However, financial resources have begun to run out, with the total cost over the past 10 months being just over $100,000. The costs are so high as many treatments, herbs, and special diet requirements are NOT covered by health care and insurance.
At the moment, many of the alternative treatments and medicines have been put on hold to allow the time needed for Sergei's liver to recover. The risk during this time, however, is that his tumour may begin to grow again. The vaccine treatment from Germany is showing great promise for Sergei and we need to give him this chance at beating this awful disease.
We would like to ask you to help out with any amount that you're comfortable with to make this treatment happen for Sergei as soon as possible in order to give him the best odds at beating this disease. Sergei is a loving husband, a devoted dad to two beautiful children, a beloved son, a cherished brother, a doting uncle to 3 nieces and nephews, and a caring friend.
Sergei's family is eternally grateful for all of your continuous, thoughts, support, and care through this awful time in their lives.
Organizer and beneficiary
Julie MacLeod
Organizer
Edmonton , AB
Sergei Pekh
Beneficiary