baraban
4th February 2003, 13:35
My 7-year old daughter Anastasia was visiting her grandparents in Russia in August 2002. ( Anastasia is a U.S. citizen ).One night she suddenly lost her conciensnence and stopped breathing. ( She has never been sick before ).
Her father had to give her CPR, which allowed some time to take her to ER. ( We are both MDs in Russia). She was taken in ICU, intubated, scanning showed brainstem tumor. Local doctors were very good, but couldn't do much. In 2 days her father was able to fly her over to Moscow. It was very hard to do:
separate compartment on the airplane, ventilator, oxygen and constant presence of the anesthesiologist and alot of money. In Moscow he took her to the Institute of Neurosurgery ( eventhough, in prior phone conversations the head MD didn't want to take Anastasia ). But he had to under pressure of her father in Moscow, constant phone calls from me from LA and American Embassy in Moscow. MRI was done, diagnosis was confirmed and the surgeons declined to provide surgical intervetion. They insisted on taking her out of the clinic. It was extremely difficult to communicate with MDs there!
I was already in Moscow with my daughter. At that point we decided our only option was to bring her home to the U.S. for further medical care. Before flying over to Russia I was trying to find the hospital and the surgeons who would take my girl. And I did: Dr. Muhonen, the head of Neurosurgical department at CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County ) personally confirmed her acceptance, unconditionally. There were hospitals that refused. Anastasia was intubated and thus required medical transport. It took about 2 weeks to arrange for repatriation and personal loans ( totaling $65,000) from the US State
Department and the father's employer ( via American Express ) to cover the cost of the Air Ambulance. Air Company did a great job bringing down the amount from $90,000 to $65,000. American Embassy in Moscow helped with repatriation loan.
Then there was a 24-hour flight on Lear 36, 7 landings and take-offs, lightning hit, 3 medical crews, 2 pilot crews, change of the plane and we arrived to Orange County. PICU was waiting for my daughter. Anastasia underwent resection of the tumor and now has cognitive deficits and physical impairment. She was transferred to the CHLA Rehabilitation Program in order to receive intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy. I have been and still am providing 24/7 care and unable to
return to my job as a home health RN. Her father continues to work, but the loss of my income has caused a huge financial strain. We are very concerned about meeting our financial obligations, because unable to repay them. We have to ask people for help! We would greatly appreciate any form of financial assistance. Thank you in advance for help in this matter and GOD BLESS YOU!
Tatyana Khoudoiar
818-882-5928
P.S. I can prove with documents everything I wrote here.
Her father had to give her CPR, which allowed some time to take her to ER. ( We are both MDs in Russia). She was taken in ICU, intubated, scanning showed brainstem tumor. Local doctors were very good, but couldn't do much. In 2 days her father was able to fly her over to Moscow. It was very hard to do:
separate compartment on the airplane, ventilator, oxygen and constant presence of the anesthesiologist and alot of money. In Moscow he took her to the Institute of Neurosurgery ( eventhough, in prior phone conversations the head MD didn't want to take Anastasia ). But he had to under pressure of her father in Moscow, constant phone calls from me from LA and American Embassy in Moscow. MRI was done, diagnosis was confirmed and the surgeons declined to provide surgical intervetion. They insisted on taking her out of the clinic. It was extremely difficult to communicate with MDs there!
I was already in Moscow with my daughter. At that point we decided our only option was to bring her home to the U.S. for further medical care. Before flying over to Russia I was trying to find the hospital and the surgeons who would take my girl. And I did: Dr. Muhonen, the head of Neurosurgical department at CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County ) personally confirmed her acceptance, unconditionally. There were hospitals that refused. Anastasia was intubated and thus required medical transport. It took about 2 weeks to arrange for repatriation and personal loans ( totaling $65,000) from the US State
Department and the father's employer ( via American Express ) to cover the cost of the Air Ambulance. Air Company did a great job bringing down the amount from $90,000 to $65,000. American Embassy in Moscow helped with repatriation loan.
Then there was a 24-hour flight on Lear 36, 7 landings and take-offs, lightning hit, 3 medical crews, 2 pilot crews, change of the plane and we arrived to Orange County. PICU was waiting for my daughter. Anastasia underwent resection of the tumor and now has cognitive deficits and physical impairment. She was transferred to the CHLA Rehabilitation Program in order to receive intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy. I have been and still am providing 24/7 care and unable to
return to my job as a home health RN. Her father continues to work, but the loss of my income has caused a huge financial strain. We are very concerned about meeting our financial obligations, because unable to repay them. We have to ask people for help! We would greatly appreciate any form of financial assistance. Thank you in advance for help in this matter and GOD BLESS YOU!
Tatyana Khoudoiar
818-882-5928
P.S. I can prove with documents everything I wrote here.