Help Support Nick's Battle Against Brain Cancer

Hi, I’m Maryanne Giordano, Nick is my nephew.

Nick, Kellie, and Addie need your help.

Nick is a Marine and a Dutchess County Deputy Sheriff. He was diagnosed originally in 2017 with brain cancer (astrocytoma grade 3) after having a seizure at home.

After 6 years of stability, working full-time, and experiencing a fully lived life, he experienced a recurrence in July of 2023, just when Nick and Kellie announced they were expecting a baby girl in February 2024.

They sought out treatment at Lenox Hill Hospital under the supervision of neurosurgeon Dr. Boockvar, where he was told at his initial appointment that another surgery was necessary... the following week.

Nick had his second craniotomy in October 2023 and learned that the tumors were now astrocytoma grade 4. He went through another round of radiation and was enrolled in a clinical trial for his chemotherapy.

Their daughter Addie was born 4 weeks early in January ’24 via emergency C-section.

In April/May, he started experiencing symptoms like aggravation, aphasia (which is when you’re unable to speak), memory, and cognitive issues.

Fast forward to June.

On June 1st, Nick was admitted for right-sided weakness, comparable to what someone experiences when they have a stroke. MRIs and CTs revealed intense swelling in his brain, landing him in the ICU and having a 5-day hospital stay. This swelling was related to something called radiation necrosis, which is directly related to the fact that Nick has been radiated twice, almost in the same area, and potential tumor growth. His team prescribed Avastin (an IV medication to help with both the necrosis and tumor) and he initially responded really well to it. However, the team had put his infusions on pause because they thought they were treating necrosis. After 3 weeks of being off the infusions, Nick's symptoms returned, if not worsening a bit, so his neuro-oncologist put him back on the infusions and added steroids back on to help.

Nick goes bi-monthly for MRIs to Lenox Hill. His most recent MRI was on August 16th and revealed what they think is residual tumor growth. He began oral chemotherapy on his 36th birthday, August 22nd, and found himself admitted again to Northern Westchester for blood clots (DVTs and pulmonary embolisms) that are related to the Avastin treatments on August 25th. Nick has since begun anti-coagulation therapy, will continue receiving the Avastin treatments, and will be on chemo for 11 more months.

Kellie worked part-time throughout nursing school and her pregnancy as a bartender and a server. She gave birth a month early on a Friday and took her NCLEX that Wednesday prior to picking up their daughter from the NICU. She accepted a position in the hopes of beginning her nursing career at a local hospital in an Emergency Department Residency Program. However, all of this has erupted and she attended orientation for one day before transparently telling her employer about all that was happening, and ultimately made the decision to resign to take care of Nick and Addie. There are multiple doctor's appointments each week, including a home health nurse, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, trips to the hospital for treatments every other week, and monthly visits to both his neurosurgeon and neuro-oncologist.

Nick's symptoms, in all honesty, have not gotten any better. He struggles sometimes with remembering things like what his wife's name is, who other people are, who he is, and what things that you and I would know easily, like what a hat is called. He requires help from his wife to perform simple daily tasks.

Anyone who knows Nick knows that he is a light, he is funny and energetic, and never takes life too seriously. It is truly heartbreaking to see this disease try to steal these star qualities from him and us.

Fortunately, for now, most of Nick's medical bills are covered by insurance, but soon his accrued time will be exhausted and his salary will be diminished to disability, and unfortunately, Kellie will not be able to bring in a salary as planned. Nick and Kellie have a great support system of family and friends, but the financial burden of unexpected medical expenses is starting to emerge and mount quickly.

The funds raised would be used to offset the required co-pays, medications, supplements, and medical assistive devices, transportation costs to and from appointments, and food costs that have risen, putting an added strain on their limited finances.

Life pulls all of us in many different directions, but we are not dealing with a life-threatening diagnosis daily.

Please, if you can, help with a donation and sharing this via social media. This and prayers will be most appreciated by the Gasparre family who are in need of your support.