Wishes In Waiting

fighting Osteosarcoma

My name is Arishuanna, also known as Ariie. In 2018, I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, which caused the amputation of my right leg. In 2020, the cancer spreaded to both lungs and now I have the diagnosis of lung cancer. I also have a six year old daughter that I take care of considering I can still move around independently. (Using my left leg). Before being diagnosed I was a 19 year old mom who loved to spend time with my daughter and make memories. Wish: apartment makeover

fighting Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic Leukemia

I relapsed. Prior to this, I was in my junior year of high school. I was looking forward to my proms, senior year, and attending college when done. I had been working part time after school and during the summer. I had earned enough money on my own to purchase my first car, a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. I had only had it for two months before I relapsed. After starting chemotherapy, I experienced a cerebral hemorrhage and seizures. I was on a ventilator and had an emergent craniectomy. I had to wear a helmet to protect my brain from January until September last year. This is when I was able to have surgery to have my bone that had been removed replaced. I have been either hospitalized or immunocompromised . I had to complete my junior and senior year with online classwork. I missed out on all the exciting senior moments. I have not been able to drive my car since I have had seizures. I was very fortunate to find a unrelated donor match. I am currently 58 days post transplant as of today. I have been staying in Atlanta for my bone marrow transplant and currently 5 hours away from home. I haven't been able to be around my friends for the past 1.5 years. I am looking forward to the day that it safe to travel home and hang out with my family and friends again. I am praying that my cancer will never relapse again and that I can say I am cancer free forever!
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I am asking for my wish to be a gift of a service dog for my seizures.

fighting Medulloblastoma

I was pretty normal. Meetings, the ministry, friends. Now it's a little harder
I have any physical restrictions like walking normally, writing, seeing

fighting Brain Cancer

I honestly never thought I would ever have to be scared of having to battle a new type of cancer again, I also never in my life thought i'd have to have brain surgery. Before driving myself to the emergency room, I thought I was finally getting my life together. I had just got a great job working for H-E-B, I was going to school to major in graphic design and minor on business. I had even got my first apartment with no roommates. It sort of felt like it all just went tumbling down after diagnosis. Now it feels like my life will never be the same. Because of brain surgery I now have to be super cautious of my head, I have to deal with losing part of my vision in my left eye. I even hate to say it but even dealing with struggles to get back to work since I'm now considered disabled because of the chemotherapy treatment I am on. I truly just wish there was a cure for cancer. No one should have to grow through this.

fighting Hodgkin's Lymphomia

Before being diagnosed with stage IV hodgkin's lymphoma, I was a busy student-athlete. I was involved in football, basketball, baseball, track, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and National Honors Society during my time at Oregon City Schools. Outside of school, I was very active with my church, volunteering in children's church and helping with the audio-visual department. Summers had been spent playing travel baseball, participating in football workouts, hanging out at Cedar Point, and working with the grounds crew at the Oregon Recreation Department. I often volunteered at a number of youth summer camps through my church and at Clay High School, where I helped to encourage and train the younger generation.

I graduated with honors and was looking forward to attending college at the University of Toledo to earn a degree in a healthcare field. A month before school started, I went to an allergist due to chronic itching that was not being relieved by other treatments my PCP suggested. Thankfully, the allergist did blood work, in which he discovered I was anemic and suggested I follow up with my doctor. Many tests were performed, but I proceeded with college, until it was eventually discovered that I had hodgkin's lymphoma. The oncologist suggested I take a medical leave of absence to focus on my health. I started 6 rounds of outpatient chemotherapy and things were going great other than the typical fatigue, nausea, and isolation struggles. After the first PET scan, I got encouraging news that the cancer was responding, but unfortunately, after the fourth round, another PET scan was performed, and the cancer had started to grow back again. I couldn't believe it and I was so disappointed that I wasn't almost done with this tough journey. From that point, I started immunotherapy to hopefully maintain the progress I had made and my local oncologist referred me to a lymphoma specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. The lymphoma specialist suggested a treatment plan that involved intense chemotherapy, along with a stem cell transplant. Currently I am recovering in Cleveland, and have been confined to the bone marrow transplant unit for 20 days. The intense chemotherapy was no joke. I have been on oxygen, had many blood cultures done, along with chest and head CT scans to make sure I didn't have infections due to my struggle with a consistent fever. I have lost 25 pounds since my admission, but finally each day seems a tad bit better than the one before. I am looking forward to going home soon!
What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
For my Nik's wish, I would love to go to Hawaii with my parents, three sisters, and my two brother-in-laws. While there, if possible I would really like to do some fishing and maybe even learn how to surf. I chose this wish, because the last 8 months have been such a challenge for me and my family, and it would be nice to get away to a tropical location and do our best not to think about the struggles I have endured throughout this journey. I believe it would be a boost to my mental health and be great to make dream like memories with my family. Thank you for the opportunity to be placed on your waiting list and hopefully eventually be considered for this wish.

fighting Glioblastoma

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Matt moved to Boston to attend Northeastern U where he completed a double major in Math and Music. During undergrad Matt also studied Conducting and saxophone performance at the New England Conservatory of Music and was President of Northeastern's Wind ensemble for 2 years, during which he conducted the group alongside their director and premiered his own arrangements and original compositions. After finishing his degrees in 2021, Matt stuck around Boston to start work full time at Wayfair as a pricing analyst while also playing saxophone in and conducting community bands all over the Boston area.
Then everything changed. Matt and his partner Ellesse (they had met in the music dorms at Northeastern) were moving into their new rental together in Jamaica Plain just near Boston when Matt started getting some bad migraines, vision loss and nausea. Matt was rushed to the hospital where an MRI Showed a lime-sized tumor growing very fast in his brain. Matt went in for a craniotomy where about half the tumor was removed. The biopsy returned the results of Glioblastoma, the most aggressive and incurable primary brain tumor. Matt was given a prognosis of about 5 years. After another surgery and radiation treatment, Matt now has limited use of his left side, and walks around with a cane. Though he can't play the sax anymore he still spends his days arranging and composing music for local bands to perform.
Matt and Ellesse, now newly engaged,☺️ are still sprucing up their Jamaica Plain apartment, birdwatching in Boston's great parks, going to local concerts and festivals, and traveling around the US and abroad(when Matt has the energy to do so).
Matt is now almost a year out from his surgery and doing his best to live his life to the fullest.

fighting Synovial Sarcoma

I would describe my life before my diagnosis in one word as full. I was at the time of my diagnosis serving a full-time mission for my church in Jacksonville, Flordia. I spent my days serving and talking with people. I had a full schedule every day and experienced a lot of joy. Before that I was a full-time student at Utah State University, where my schedule was full of classes, friends and activities. After my diagnosis, I had a pretty drastic change. I spent a lot of time at doctors appointments and I went from a full schedule to struggling to fill my time each day. I did pick up some new hobbies like embroidery, but it has been hard. I try to find little joys in each day.

fighting Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

I had just graduated college. A month later, I was diagnosed with cancer. What followed was almost a year of intense treatment (chemo, surgery, radiation, more surgery) that left me more or less couch bound. I just finished active treatment a couple of months ago, though I have a couple other surgeries that I need to complete in the early fall. So I am taking the summer to celebrate being alive and being able to do things again, since I haven't been able to for so long. I am learning to live with the fear of recurrence and starting to plan for the future.

fighting Osteosrcoma

My life before diagnosis was vibrant! I was an accomplished high school athlete in various sports, including becoming a state hurdle champion my junior year. I was an excited college student ready to take on the world after graduation until the end of my sophomore year when I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my left femur. I was then immediately treated with chemotherapy and a full knee replacement, which made me take a semester off from school. Although, I am limited in my mobility now and there are certain thing I will never do again such as running which was my passion. I am still trying to comprehend everything even after an entire year and am still adjusting to my new normal.

fighting Osteosrcoma

I was a normal teen, active in High School football. I graduated with honors and was planning my future. I loved working as a Heavy Equipment Operator. It provided me the independence every 18yr old craves. I was well on my way into my "real life" beginning adulthood phase.
Then "real life" hit me in a way I never expected, cancer. I have felt every emotion possible; scared I'm going to die, angry it's happening to me, jealous of my friends starting their lives, careers and college, while my life is stuck in neutral. I have emotions that I didn't expect; appreciation of the love of my friends & family, humor where you least expect it & an inner strength I didn't know I possessed. There are truly great things that can be found during our darkest times.

fighting Colon/Liver cancer

My life was full of joy & laughter. I was living the best life with my wife and our first son!! After my diagnosis everything went downhill. We were lost ,worried, concerned, confused. We didn't know what to do or expect. We lost our home & moved in with our family. My wife is carrying a lot of weight on her shoulders to take care of me and my son.

fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Having a Nik's Wish will definitely support me and my loved ones by giving Jadyn something to look forward to. And to help increase her self esteem & encourage her to continue to fight every day even if things are hard or looks like an unfavorable outcome. More than anything this wish will hope put some better memories for her to go to Universal Studios then her previous MAW whe Jadyn was seriously ill and missed the last half of her Disney trip & all of Univ Studios experience

fighting Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

I had kidney issues since I was 7 yrs old. College was essentially the first time I was able to go to school and build a life. Now I have to give myself up to the hospital once again. I really had to grow up all over, re-access my mental health, emotional, and spiritual health as I'm going through this. I've changed in such a short amount of time that it surprised me, but I'm going through this knowing I can, without losing myself. It truly is a difficult journey, but one I am not stepping down from.

fighting Ductal Carcinoma

I am a single mom of two. I started my chemo while I was pregnant. I am blessed for the medical team that I found I definitely was my own advocate with all of this. As silly as it sounds, Cancer saved me. I never thought that I would love life again after domestic abuse, and I love it more than I ever did before. I told myself all the time that I was handed this fight so that way a little person did not have to take the fight and that helps me keep pushing and keep going.

fighting Testicular Cancer

Having cancer is painful. It's too much to talk about.

fighting Osteosarcoma

When I was 8 years old I was dx with a Medulloblastoma brain tumor. I went through a lot then and had to relearn how to walk and do other things. I still have some balance and coordination issues because of that but I was cancer free for 9 years. Then on my annual MRI I found out I had radiation induced osteosarcoma of the skull and brain. This was a big shock to me. I was about to start my senior year of high school and was planning on doing normal stuff like go to school and hang out with friends. But all that changed and now I spend a lot of time in the hospital getting chemo because the type I get you can’t do at home. I also had surgery in December, the day after my 18th birthday. I can only go to school in person a few days out of a month and trying to work out times to hang out with friends is hard too.


What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?

I would like to go to Wyoming because the pictures I’ve seen are really pretty, I like to ride horses, and I like anything western. I used to think I would like to work on a ranch someday if I could.

Ewing Sarcoma

Before being diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma I was a defensive end on the Saint Ambrose College football team. I was in my second year of college getting ready to play in our first game. Instead of playing that weekend I was told the x-ray of my collar bone looked like it had a tumor. Since then I have had 6 chemo treatments before surgery to remove 3 inches of my collar bone. I now will have 8 more to be sure there is no more cancer hiding anywhere. As of today I have 6 more treatments left. The treatments are every two weeks. I stay in the hospital and they are 3 to 5 days. I am also staying in college while I am doing treatments. My plan is to play football next fall.


What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I would love to meet Tom Hanks. My mom named me after Forrest Gump one of his character's he plays in a movie. I think he is an amazing person and have always wanted to meet him. I realize this might be far fetched.

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

I had just finished my holiday break for my Senior Year of High School. I was making plans to start visiting a few of my potential college campuses to decide where I wanted to go once I graduate in May. I was enjoying my time working after school hours as an intern at my church. I loved being able to help lead Elementary chapels each week with worship and playing drums (they call me Mr. Jude). I was actively serving in my church and loving the season I was in. Once I found out I had cancer one of the most difficult parts of the diagnosis was the Dr. telling me I would not be able to finish my Senior year in person with my classmates. I have gone to the same school my whole life and most of my classmates have been my friends since I was in
K-3.

Also, the reality of not being able to go to Prom or walk the stage at my graduation was something that made me pretty sad. I’m trying to stay hopeful and positive. I mostly miss my friends and all the little kids at chapel but I am looking forward to a day when I will be an even healthier person than I was before and I will be able to serve and be with my church family. I’m not sure when I will be able to pick a college and cleared to start attending but I am trying to find online options so hopefully I don’t fall too far behind on my studies. I miss my hair too…but I know it will grow back and for now I’m choosing to rock my buzz cut season with a smile.


What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?

I don’t know what the options are but I would love to take a trip with my family.

fighting Osteosarcoma

My life was good before cancer. I was able to have independence and have fun with friends. I didn't really have much stress in my life. After I was diagnosed, my life was full of stress and pain. After a while, I really lost my independence. Life became really hard. Recently, my lower leg was amputated. There is still some pain but its much better than the pain I was living with before. Hopefully, after rehab, I will be able to move around better and start to get my independence back. I am doing my best to keep a positive mind set and work on myself during this time.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
I am hoping to travel with my parents to Hawaii.

fighting Breast Cancer

I was a normal college student and working. Now I've taken a step back from school and work and focusing on staying healthy and beating cancer. My life has certainly changed with lots of Dr appointments and chemo with more surgery soon.

Nik's wish:
I'd love to meet Morgan Wallen cause he's my favorite country singer.

fighting Lymphoma

Sam, age 20 from CT, was a healthy young man when he was suddenly diagnosed with cancer in January of 2021. He had a very scary & difficulty first round of chemo where he was in the intensive care unit. He's been adjusting to the new diagnosis but it's been extra challenging due to covid.

fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute Lymphoblastic LeukemiaI was 19 yrs old and about to live my dream to attend the Univ. of AL. The day prior to moving from MN to AL, I began to experience extreme back pain. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). I feel I have lost everything that I have worked so very hard for. Social media has been a double-edged sword. It allows me to connect with my friends back in MN, but I also see the fun they are experiencing at college. I feel trapped, away from my support system, and isolated inside. My mother and father see this loss and try to keep my eyes forward.

Ewing Sarcoma

Prior to being diagnosed with cancer, I was working in the medical field as a nursing assistant searching for what I wanted to pursue as a career. I grew up on a small family farm in rural Wisconsin, where I enjoyed spending my time with our cows the first part of my childhood and then our hobby farm animals most recently. My favorite hobbies include riding horses with my sister, showing our farm animals at our county fair, hunting, and helping my dad with his taxidermy business. Prior to my diagnosis, I was enrolled in a taxidermy course to learn how to mount a different type of animal so I could assist my dad and expand his business. About 6 months before my diagnosis, I began experiencing pain in my hip/knee that was at times, unbearable. After paying many visits to the chiropractor, physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon, and primary care provider, an x-ray was finally conducted on my hip, which is when the cancer was detected. My doctor, who was working in the same hospital as me, actually pulled me off the unit to share with me the news that it could either be cancer or an infection. It was cancer and my life changed forever. I was no longer able to walk due to the tumor eating away at my femur let alone work, ride my horse, or spend time with my animals. Life after cancer is much different. I went through 14 rounds of chemotherapy, each session required a hospital stay of 3 or 5 days, alternating treatments. After my major surgery to replace my femur with a titanium replacement, I was in an in-patient rehab facility in Rochester for 2 weeks. Besides the medical drainage aspect, there have been so many lifestyle changes that have been so difficult. I haven't rode a horse in almost two years. I have to rely on my family members to drive me everywhere since I have not been given the "okay" to drive yet. And most of all, everyday has been a constant battle not only physically, but mentally too. I am currently seeing a physical therapist, on average twice a week, and I have begun to gain some movement and strength back in my leg, but I still have a long way to go. I will always have physical restrictions with my hip, so my previous career as a nursing assistant is over and I am unsure of what my future holds as far as work goes. The easiest way to explain life after cancer for me is unknown.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
As I previously mentioned, I have not been able to go hunting for almost two years. Hunting is a sport that I grew up in and have loved ever since. Something that has always been on my bucket list is to go out west to hunt antelope with my family. This would be a very meaningful experience, as I have not been able to get out and do many outside activities due to my physical restrictions. The positive of hunting antelope with an outfitter is they likely have disability accommodations, where I do not have these accommodations at home.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

My life before being diagnosed was a lot of working because I enjoyed saving up money and I enjoyed working. Also I spent a lot of time hanging out with my girlfriend who I've been with for almost 4 years now. After being diagnosed it was a pretty hard hit to me and my family but I always tried to stay positive and keep a good attitude because there is always someone else who has it worse. The thing I struggled with the most was being confined and not able to go out and work and do the stuff I used to do. Also I struggled with stomach problems and had trouble with eating. To this day it's still hard not being able to go out and see friends and family. All of this has also put a big hold on my life with the fact I would like to go to college and get my associates degree and would like to move out on my own. I still always try to stay positive but some days you can't always keep a smile on your face.

What Nik's wish are you thinking about and why?
For my Nik's wish I would love to go behind the scenes at a big zoo and get to see, meet, and play with the zoo animals for a day. Since I was a kid I've always thought about becoming a zoologist because I've always loved animals and wanted to learn more about them.