Wishes In Waiting
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Kaite
Katie: Fighting B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia & Avascular Nechrosis
I was 5 days into senior year at Shenandoah University in their fine arts conservatory majoring in Theatrical Design and Production (lighting). I had just moved into my first ever apartment with two best friends. Life was good. I awoke one morning with unbearable arm pain. A friend drove me to the ER and found I was deathly anemic and had leukemia! That started a full-on battle for my life, with more than 80% of my blood full of leukemic cells. I never got to live in that apartment and had to step out of college due to illness and out of state treatments. My mom has been with me every step of the way. We are very fortunate that she has been able to work remotely, and my university has been supportive. I completed my two senior capstones, designing all lighting for two live main stage shows from our remote location. It was hard, but we figured it out. My friends have graduated and moved on.
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I would like a trip to take my mind off all the medical challenges and treatments. My top wish is to go to see TaskMaster, a British comedy which I just learned is touring in various locations in the US (or to see their normal show which is in England). Secondly to go to see comedian Josh Johnson in person or backstage visit to the studios of Sam Reich's "Dropout" an American comedy production company in Los Angeles.
Emily
Emily: Fighting B-Cell ALL
My husband and I had just gotten married and found out we were expecting. Then I found out I had leukemia 3 months before his delivery and delivered a healthy preemie in between chemo rounds!
This isn't what I expected at all for motherhood and trying to raise a family. I was in the "this can't happen to me" category before I learned about leukemia and how it can affect anyone of any age at any stage of their life.
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I would love assistance getting my nonprofit off of the ground! I send care envelopes filled with tea, activity pages, and stickers.
I would love to be able to have all of the legal paperwork done to officially call Cute and Acute a nonprofit and serve even more people.
While I would be grateful for a trip or item, I'd like this opportunity to be able to leave a lasting impact on the AYA community. These projects also keep me positive and motivated while dealing with side effects and being quarantined.
Calvin
Calvin: Fighting B-Cell ALL
Initially diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at 4 years old and went through 3.5 years of chemo treatment. I survived and lived a normal life for the remaining childhood and teenage years, finished elementary, high school, and college.
I graduated college in 2023 and work for Capital One as a Software Engineer. I had a relapse and was diagnosed with the same Acute Lymphoid Leukemia (ALL), the same cancer I had 20 years ago. I went through various chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments and now I am currently going through Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) treatment.
The treatment and recovery for the BMT procedure should last 6-12 months. Thanks for reviewing and considering my application for the Nik's wish program.
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
The Nik's wish I am thinking about are:
1) Family Vacation to Hawaii
My family has spent a lot of their time and hours taking care of me. This will be a good opportunity for them to take some time off, relax, and enjoy family time together.
2) Lakers Game - Floor Seats
I am a long-life Lakers fan. This will give me an opportunity to watch the Laker's game and meet some of the players who I really love to watch play.
Andrew
Andrew: Fighting Diffuse Midline Glioma of the Spine
Meet Andrew: I was Carefree. I had the use of both legs, just graduated Highschool with over a 4.0 GPA and I was ready to start college. I was ready to make my family proud and set an example for my siblings.
Now life is difficult, I deferred school and i am confined to a wheel chair. I feel dependent on my family. I have 2 younger sibling and I worry about being forgotten.
What Nik's Wish are you thinking about and why?
If i am fortunate enough to attend Howard next year, my wish is to enter the school as a business man and philanthropist. My wish is something that will help my family and others. I would like to start a faith inspired T-shirt business and donate 20% of the proceeds to Nik's wish and 10% to Lasalle Prep my high school. I would like my Dad to design the shirts and my Mom to help runt he business with me.
What i am asking for is startup support, mentorship and guidance in creating a name for myself and helping others.
Aviva
Aviva: Fighting Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Meet Aviva: Hi my name is Aviva and I am currently 23 years old. Before I was diagnosed with cancer I had finished my BA and psychology and was working on applying for my masters in social work. I was working two jobs one in a preschool and one at a mental health clinic but of which I loved! Before I was diagnosed I was extremely fatigued and it got to the point that when I wasn't working I was sleeping. One day I woke up with extreme chest pain and ended up in the ER later that night. Over night my life changed when I learned they had found a large tumor that had reached capacity in the cavity between my sternum and heart. The tumor had also attached itself to my lung. After two needle biopsies (one of which my lung collapsed and numbing and anesthesia did not work) a pet scan, and finally a surgical biopsy I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I got my port put in and started chemo. I kept working as long as I was able to keep my life as normal as I could. I finally had to stop when the chemo no longer allowed me to and that was deviating for me. Besides for the brain fog and terrible nausea and all the many horrible side effects that comes along with chemo. A really hard part for me was watching my friends move on with their lives. Going on trips, getting married, having babies, and knowing that I was stuck wear I was. Thank GD I made it through! I am back to working and I start my masters program in September. I have been working on regaining my strength and getting back to myself. I am truly grateful for how much I have matured and grown through this experience. I am definitely not the same person I was before.
What Nik's Wish are you thinking about and why?
I am not exactly sure yet but I know I want a cool experience! I love music and musical theatre and I have a passion for singing so maybe something around that.
Jayleigh
Jayleigh: Fighting T-cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Meet Jayleigh: My life before this terrible diagnosis was just getting started. I had just turned 19, I was a little shy of two months of graduating Cosmetology school, and my whole life that's always been my dream! I started doing Hair and Makeup at a really young age and knew that's what I wanted to do the rest of my life. I worked my butt off to graduate in 8 months but unfortunately that didn't happen for me while the whole time I was enrolled to beauty school I was sick and stayed in the er after long days at school: I actually was on my way to school when I decided I needed to go to the er because something wasn't right... later that day I was med flighted to a hospital 3 hours from home! I had been living in my own home a little over a year and a half which Is a really big thing for me considering my whole life I was In and out of family members houses because my parents couldn't stay sober, & then I felt like MY home was took away from me because I've basically lived in the hospital since October 26th 2023. As I mentioned before my parents wasn't sober any growing up and addiction runs on both sides of my family, before this diagnosis I wouldn't take a Tylenol unless It was unbearable. The amount of medicine I've had to take/still taking from this terrible diagnosis. I promised I'd break the cycle, and that's what I'm going to do. I have 2 beautiful nieces who loved to stay with "Aunt Jay"! Since being diagnosed I've missed out on so much of their life and they've asked why I've not been to "play" and It breaks my heart! Back when my hair fell out it took my youngest niece a little while to realize it was still Aunt Jay, she would run and hide from me. This diagnosis has made me miss out on so much stuff, took so much from me, changed my body in ways it'll never recover from, took my dream away of being a licensed cosmetologist, chemo causes enough pain while I've been very very hard on my self taking very little to any pain medication. As my nurse told me once "your age Is one of the hardest to get cancer, I think. Your life stops, you have to depend on others. Everything comes to a stop, and then overnight, you're thrown back into your life. But, your hands don't work like they use to, you tire quickly, brain fog sets in and you're not completely free of us which can screw u school and or/work.
What Nik's Wish are you thinking about and why?
I was raised riding horses but when i moved out into my own home I couldn't afford a house and a horse so I gave mine away, my mom had kept hers but ended up selling it due to financial reasons because she's not worked since December 2023 because she has took to me to treatment/ took care of me. I have debated on asking or even applying because I feel like I'm not as deserving as other children. I have been riding a friends horse recently and I've fell back in love with it. I would love another horse for me and my mom to ride, my doctors and my self think this will be a very good mental and physical therapy.
Ivan
Ivan: Fighting Acute Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Meet Ivan: I was a normal kid at the age of 18 doing normal things I would work I had a job I would work out I would spend time with family and friends. and then all of a sudden one day while I was at work, I started getting the sharp pain on the side of my neck at first. I didn't think nothing of it so I let a week go by and still continue doing my every day things then another week came by and another and the pain wouldn't go away so then I thought to myself something is not right that's when I went to the doctor and they told me I should go to the hospital to get a CT scan it turns out I had swollen lymph nodes around my neck area and around my chest. It was a sharp pain that wasn't comfortable. I had to get a biopsy done to see what was going on. So the results came in then I went to a cancer clinic and they diagnosed me with acute non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I heard the news had to take it all in at first I didn't know what to think. I was in total shock at that point. I knew that my life would take a turn. I had to stay strong for myself but more for my mom, that is a single parrot. I did wonder to myself. Why did this happen to me but never once did I question God I thought to myself everything happens for a reason and God doesn't make mistakes. I thought to myself OK this is some big news. I had to cope with it. Get through it and stay strong. God chose me he never gives you something you can't handle. He always gives his strongest soldiers the toughest battles so if you're going through right now or are about to or just heard the news, I encourage you all to stay strong have faith and always remember. Everything happens for a reason and never question God. "We can all beat cancer"!! # we did it
What Nik's Wish are you thinking about and why?
I would love to meet my favorite content creator/youtuber He does great videos, funny pranks he gives back to people ect. His name is Stevewilldoit I love what he does every time I cut his videos on. They make me laugh and I really enjoy them. It would be an honor and a dream to be able to meet him. If that's not possible then I would enjoy a trip to Hawaii. I seen all the pictures and stuff of people choosing that as their wish and it looks like so much fun and so pretty that would be a awesome vacation for me and my family to get away.
Hunter
Hunter: Fighting Anaplastic Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma (Brain C)
Meet Hunter: Last summer, I spent the days mowing yards for the people in the church who couldn't do it themselves. I would help others when they needed help whether it was yard work or painting, cleaning, anything. In the fall, I drove my car around town and hung out with friends. I went to the football games at the high school that I had graduated from. I went to church events and on weekend trips with the church. In December, a girl ran a stop sign and totaled my car. I started having headaches. That weekend I went to the campgrounds with the church youth group for Back to Basics. I was miserable. My head hurt so badly. My mom and dad took me to urgent care they said, "If it was from your car accident you would be dead" and that it was just a headache. I also had a double ear infection. They gave me medicine to clear it up and the headache eased. But it came back several times sometimes for days at a time and worse each time, until finally in April, the pain was unbearable and my vision was doubled. That's when they found the 6 cm tumor. I couldn't even get out of bed most of the time. Since having the tumor removed and going through cancer treatments, I am tired a lot. I don't want to do much. I get tired very easily too. I do not do much of what I used to do. I am unable to drive right now because I had a seizure in April after the tumor was removed. I used to play video games and hang out with friends. I spend most of my days at home with my mom now or going to doctor appointments. I do go to church and have recently went to a lock-in there. I am slowly trying to get my life back to normal, or at least as normal as it can be while fighting cancer. even though I am tired, I sometimes do not sleep well. I have always liked to be outdoors hunting and stuff now I am worried about if I can do those things. I do have memory issues now that I had not always had.
What Nik's Wish are you thinking about and why?
I have always wanted to go to Hawaii and to Washington DC. I think if my wish would be granted I would love to go to Hawaii if possible because that is a trip of a lifetime. I think it would be fun to go to the beautiful beaches. I have never been anywhere and never taken a vacation. I've watched a lot of shows set in Hawaii and thought I want to go there someday. I would like to visit Pearl harbor, and see explore the nature there. I would like see a real waterfall and volcano There is so much to see and do there. Go to a luau. I just want to experience things that I would probably never get a chance to.
Christopher
Christopher: Fighting B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Meet Christopher: Before cancer, life was good. I enjoyed spending time with my family, working hard, and doing what I loved. I worked for the City of Tuscaloosa and did mechanic work on the side. In my free time, I loved being outdoors! Hunting and fishing were some of my favorite ways to relax and connect with nature.
But everything changed when I was diagnosed with cancer. It was a wake up call; a reminder that life can change in an instant. Facing that reality brought me closer to the people who matter most my kids, my beautiful fiancée, and the rest of my family. It also brought me closer to God.
Cancer taught me to slow down and appreciate every moment. It reminded me of what's truly important in life love, faith, and time spent with those you care about.
What Nik's Wish are you thinking about and why?
After thinking about what would bring me the most joy and meaningful memories, I've narrowed it down to two possibilities: either taking my family on a special vacation or going on a once in a lifetime hunting trip.
Izzy
Izzy: Fighting Brain Cancer
Meet Izzy: Before my diagnosis, I enjoyed singing but now my singing voice has been affected by my diagnosis. I have trouble walking and now use a wheelchair for mobility. Before, I was fully independent and attended college. I have undergone brain surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy and have been working hard to re-learn basic skills. Through it all, I continue to show strength and courage as I battle this diagnosis.
What Nik's Wish are you thinking about and why?
I hope to see and experience the pretty blue waters. We lost my father to GIST cancer in 2017 and I want to honor both of our journey's with this wish. Wwheelchair restrictions).
Rachel
Rachel: Fighting Papillary Thyroid Cancer & Adamantinoma-like Ewing
Meet Rachel: Before my cancer diagnosis I was a young 20 year old oblivious to how fast life could change but always looking at the positive in life. I was focused on and occupied with spending time with my friends and family. I loved to go on adventures, big and small, and travel as much as I could. I loved to be a tourist in my own city and the few other cities I could get to before my world was turned upside down. I was a student, excited about what my future held. Now so many of these things are still true. I still prioritize the people I love and traveling when I can. I am a lifelong learner always ready to find the positive where I can. But I am no longer a student, I am now awoken to a fragility of life most of my peers are still oblivious to, and I feel as though I have a lot to catch up on and a lot of places to still see. I know life is fleeting so more than ever I am focused on living my life to fulfillment.
What Nik's Wish are you thinking about and why?
I have always loved the water, exploring nature, and hiking. I have dreamed about going to Hawaii for years not only for the sunshine and beaches but for the amazing natural landscape and beauty there is to explore there. Over treatment I used to talk about going there after I was better. Now that I am a little over a year out of the completion of my treatment, I feel I have the strength back I need to fully enjoy Hawaii like I want to. It would mean so much to me to be granted a Nik's Wish.
TyQuareon