Nikita’s Battle for Survival: A Young Boy’s Struggle Against Unimaginable Challenges

When Nikita Gikalov was born on July 11, 2020, his parents were overwhelmed with joy and relief. They envisioned a simple, joyful childhood for their son—filled with laughter, first steps, and cherished family moments. However, from the outset, life had different plans.

Nikita entered the world weighing just 2,200 grams and measuring 47 centimeters long. Fragile and tiny, he was immediately taken to intensive care. For 28 days, he fought for every breath, surrounded by machines that sustained his life. His blood tests indicated multiple abnormalities, and doctors could only stabilize him enough to begin the long journey ahead.

Those initial days were filled with dread. His parents watched helplessly as their newborn struggled—too small, too weak, and too delicate for the outside world. “We promised him then,” his mother recalls, “that we would never stop fighting for him, no matter how tough the journey became.”

Early Challenges

After nearly a month in intensive and secondary care, Nikita’s condition finally stabilized. However, his development was delayed. He was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid accumulates in the brain, increasing pressure and affecting development. Doctors warned that this could have lifelong implications.

Despite these obstacles, Nikita demonstrated his fighting spirit. He didn’t take his first steps until 15 months old, but when he finally did, his parents were overcome with joy. “It was the most beautiful moment,” his father remembers. “We knew how hard he had worked to achieve that.”

However, the joy was short-lived. Shortly after, Nikita developed dangerously low hemoglobin levels and became weak again. He underwent long-term treatment at the Institute of Hematology in Tashkent, where, after months of therapy, his blood levels returned to normal. For a brief moment, his family dared to hope that the worst was behind them.

A Return to Fear

In 2022, that fragile hope was shattered once again. Nikita began experiencing severe seizures that interrupted his breathing. “We thought we were going to lose him,” his mother recalls. “Every second felt like an eternity.”

In desperation, the family rushed him to Turkey, where doctors confirmed that his hydrocephalus had worsened. They performed a procedure that saved his life once more. “We thought we had finally overcome the worst,” his father says. “But we were mistaken.”

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

In March 2024, at just three and a half years old, Nikita contracted measles. It was another terrifying experience, but he recovered—only for his parents to notice new symptoms a few weeks later.

Their little boy was becoming weaker. He was constantly tired, his stomach began to swell, and bruises appeared all over his body without explanation. “At first, we thought it might be another blood issue,” his mother explains. “But deep down, I sensed something was wrong.”

After numerous tests, doctors delivered every parent’s worst nightmare: Group B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia—a rare and aggressive blood cancer.

“When the doctor uttered the word ‘leukemia,’ I felt the world collapse around me,” his mother says, tears streaming down her face. “How could a child who had already endured so much be faced with this battle too?”

A Fight for Survival

Blood tests revealed that 79% of Nikita’s cells were cancerous. His hemoglobin had dropped to 40, and his platelets were nearly depleted. He was immediately taken to the intensive care unit in Aktau, where he received emergency blood and platelet transfusions to keep him alive.

Even then, his condition remained critical. “The doctors advised us to prepare for the worst,” his father says quietly. “But we refused. We knew we couldn’t give up on him.”

With the support of friends and family, they quickly arranged to transport Nikita to Istanbul, where pediatric oncology specialists began his chemotherapy treatment. Due to his complex medical history and the aggressive nature of his cancer, doctors classified Nikita as high-risk. His only real chance for survival is a bone marrow transplant.

“The costs are overwhelming,” his mother states. “Every test, every transfusion, every medication costs more than we can afford. We’ve sold everything we can, but it’s still not enough. We’re terrified that financial constraints could determine our son’s fate.”

The Power of Hope

Through it all, Nikita continues to fight with the same quiet determination he has shown since birth. Even in the hospital, connected to IVs and monitors, he smiles when he sees his parents. “He’s so brave,” his mother says. “He still laughs, still dreams, still loves. He’s our little hero.”

Each day is a blend of exhaustion and gratitude. The family exists between hope and heartbreak—watching their son endure painful treatments, clinging to every sign of improvement, praying that the next test will yield good news.