Hope, Strength, and Sunshine - Supporting Nichole!
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Nichole has allowed us to share her story.
In February 2020, Nichole noticed a change in her breast, and mentioned it to me, her coworker and friend Nicoleen. With a mom and an aunt who survived breast cancer, I was immediately concerned and encouraged Nichole to get in sooner than her mammogram scheduled for the following month. With a call to her nurse practitioner, she had the mammogram within a week, followed by a biopsy. The call came on Friday, February 20th – cancer. We hugged (this was pre-COVID!) and we cried, and we knew she’d beat it.
Supported by her family (Mark, Natalie, Vincent, Riley, Bailey, Heidi, Jon, her angel Mom, and Dad John) things moved quickly, and a decision was made to move forward with surgery. Surgery was scheduled for April 6th. The thought was that since the cancer was stage 1, surgery should take care of everything! Then, COVID-19 came into the picture and set everything off course. Surgery was declared “non-essential”, and was delayed indefinitely. Nichole showed remarkable strength through the time of uncertainty, facing each day with a brave smile, while knowing the tumor was present, and maybe even growing.
The call came in the end of April – surgery could be scheduled, with several restrictions. It had to be a same-day procedure, and Nichole was supposed to be dropped off and picked up – and otherwise alone. Surgery was scheduled for May 7th. The surgery was a success – and perhaps Mark bent the rules a little to be with Nichole post-op. :-) Sentinel node biopsy was clear – great news! This means the cancer hadn’t spread to the lymph nodes. The surgeon declared although the tumor did, indeed, grow from the time of diagnosis, the margins were clear (in other words, all cancer was removed), and at stage 1A, she should be on the path to total recovery. Recovery hasn’t been a walk in the park, but rather a marathon of pain management. It doesn’t get better every day, but the general trend is positive progress.
Fast forward to pathology results. On May 22nd Nichole and Mark learned that due to the tumor’s DNA being aggressive with an elevated chance of re-occurrence, chemotherapy is needed. What a kick – just when recovery was improving. Treatment is scheduled to begin June 18th and last for 5 months. Coupled with COVID-19, this will also compromise Nichole’s immune system. Hugs are the best medicine, but since they’re not allowed right now – smiles and support will have to suffice.
If you know Nichole, you know that she radiates positivity and she is one seriously strong woman. With her family and friends around her, she will be supported through the days when that smile dims a little bit. Cancer sucks. Cancer brings pain, worry, stress, anger, sadness, fear, and all of those other icky feelings. Nichole and Mark both work, and at this time, health must take first priority. The purpose of this campaign is to show love in the form of financial support for Nichole and her family. The road ahead is long, but bright at the end. All monies will go directly to Nichole.
If you’re unable to make a financial contribution, send a card, say a prayer, light a candle (she loves these), or simply hug a loved one. Life is precious and you are loved!
In February 2020, Nichole noticed a change in her breast, and mentioned it to me, her coworker and friend Nicoleen. With a mom and an aunt who survived breast cancer, I was immediately concerned and encouraged Nichole to get in sooner than her mammogram scheduled for the following month. With a call to her nurse practitioner, she had the mammogram within a week, followed by a biopsy. The call came on Friday, February 20th – cancer. We hugged (this was pre-COVID!) and we cried, and we knew she’d beat it.
Supported by her family (Mark, Natalie, Vincent, Riley, Bailey, Heidi, Jon, her angel Mom, and Dad John) things moved quickly, and a decision was made to move forward with surgery. Surgery was scheduled for April 6th. The thought was that since the cancer was stage 1, surgery should take care of everything! Then, COVID-19 came into the picture and set everything off course. Surgery was declared “non-essential”, and was delayed indefinitely. Nichole showed remarkable strength through the time of uncertainty, facing each day with a brave smile, while knowing the tumor was present, and maybe even growing.
The call came in the end of April – surgery could be scheduled, with several restrictions. It had to be a same-day procedure, and Nichole was supposed to be dropped off and picked up – and otherwise alone. Surgery was scheduled for May 7th. The surgery was a success – and perhaps Mark bent the rules a little to be with Nichole post-op. :-) Sentinel node biopsy was clear – great news! This means the cancer hadn’t spread to the lymph nodes. The surgeon declared although the tumor did, indeed, grow from the time of diagnosis, the margins were clear (in other words, all cancer was removed), and at stage 1A, she should be on the path to total recovery. Recovery hasn’t been a walk in the park, but rather a marathon of pain management. It doesn’t get better every day, but the general trend is positive progress.
Fast forward to pathology results. On May 22nd Nichole and Mark learned that due to the tumor’s DNA being aggressive with an elevated chance of re-occurrence, chemotherapy is needed. What a kick – just when recovery was improving. Treatment is scheduled to begin June 18th and last for 5 months. Coupled with COVID-19, this will also compromise Nichole’s immune system. Hugs are the best medicine, but since they’re not allowed right now – smiles and support will have to suffice.
If you know Nichole, you know that she radiates positivity and she is one seriously strong woman. With her family and friends around her, she will be supported through the days when that smile dims a little bit. Cancer sucks. Cancer brings pain, worry, stress, anger, sadness, fear, and all of those other icky feelings. Nichole and Mark both work, and at this time, health must take first priority. The purpose of this campaign is to show love in the form of financial support for Nichole and her family. The road ahead is long, but bright at the end. All monies will go directly to Nichole.
If you’re unable to make a financial contribution, send a card, say a prayer, light a candle (she loves these), or simply hug a loved one. Life is precious and you are loved!
Fundraising team: Nichole's Tribe (3)
Nicoleen Meyer
Organizer
Maple Grove, MN
Nichole Fletcher
Beneficiary
Heidi Wangstad
Team member
Jon Jasper
Team member