Nico's Fight Against Leukemia
Donation protected
On May 21, 2014 the lives of Alfredo 'Nico' and Jasmine Hernandez changed forever. The young couple thought Nico had the flu and decided to go to the hospital to see if there was something more they could do to get him better. They were shocked to learn that Nico did not have the flu. He had Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
He continued treatment for the next 5 months, receiving the news that there was only a 30% chance that the cancer would return. They were thrilled and looked forward to getting home and giving his body a chance to rest and recover.
Nico was anxious to get back to his job at the Dollar Tree, where prior to his diagnosis, he had never missed a single day.
Two months later he had a biopsy with devastating results. The cancer was back.
He was immediately sent to Presbyterian St Luke’s Medical Center (PSL) where he started treatment with Dr. Gregory who outlined the plan for a bone marrow transplant, scheduled for April 11, 2015.
Nico would spend the next 30 days in the hospital. Everything was on track for recovery until his 6 month biopsy where the results showed the cancer was back. Again.
This time, the plan was to give him chemotherapy once again and receive more cells from his donor in hopes that he would finally be cured.
He received the cells on 12/23/2015, which his mother said was in the 'month of miracles.'
After just a few weeks at home, Nico was readmitted to the hospital for the last time. He was told he has Stage 4 Graft Versus Host Disease, a common and sometimes fatal side effect of bone marrow transplants, that has caused his skin to appear burned, his eyes to be intolerant to light, and for him to have extreme difficulty eating and digesting anything.
As his body will be unable to tolerate any more chemotherapy, he has been given just a 10% chance to survive. In his words, "My body was in bed. My eyes were on the ceiling. And my mind was struggling to find somewhere else to go."
Nico and his lovely wife Jasmine were forced to make the heartbreaking decision to go home with hospice care at the age of 28.
Nico loves music. He loves his job. He loves his family. He loves God. He loves his dogs. He loves his life. And he absolutely adores his wife.
His final wish is to ensure his wife does not have to live in debt from funeral costs after they both worked hard all their adult lives to remain debt free.
Please consider helping this amazing young man find peace before he earns his angel wings by contributing to his funeral fund. Every dollar will go to offset the costs associated with giving him the service his wife so desperately wants for him.
If you are unable to donate funds, the couple asks for your prayers to help them find the strength they'll both need during this heartbreaking end of their journey.
According to Nico, "Since I got cancer, I knew I'd have a new life, either here on earth with my wife or waiting for her in heaven."
With heartfelt gratitude from the staff at The Dear Jack Foundation for helping make this Life List wish come true.
www.dearjackfoundation.com
He continued treatment for the next 5 months, receiving the news that there was only a 30% chance that the cancer would return. They were thrilled and looked forward to getting home and giving his body a chance to rest and recover.
Nico was anxious to get back to his job at the Dollar Tree, where prior to his diagnosis, he had never missed a single day.
Two months later he had a biopsy with devastating results. The cancer was back.
He was immediately sent to Presbyterian St Luke’s Medical Center (PSL) where he started treatment with Dr. Gregory who outlined the plan for a bone marrow transplant, scheduled for April 11, 2015.
Nico would spend the next 30 days in the hospital. Everything was on track for recovery until his 6 month biopsy where the results showed the cancer was back. Again.
This time, the plan was to give him chemotherapy once again and receive more cells from his donor in hopes that he would finally be cured.
He received the cells on 12/23/2015, which his mother said was in the 'month of miracles.'
After just a few weeks at home, Nico was readmitted to the hospital for the last time. He was told he has Stage 4 Graft Versus Host Disease, a common and sometimes fatal side effect of bone marrow transplants, that has caused his skin to appear burned, his eyes to be intolerant to light, and for him to have extreme difficulty eating and digesting anything.
As his body will be unable to tolerate any more chemotherapy, he has been given just a 10% chance to survive. In his words, "My body was in bed. My eyes were on the ceiling. And my mind was struggling to find somewhere else to go."
Nico and his lovely wife Jasmine were forced to make the heartbreaking decision to go home with hospice care at the age of 28.
Nico loves music. He loves his job. He loves his family. He loves God. He loves his dogs. He loves his life. And he absolutely adores his wife.
His final wish is to ensure his wife does not have to live in debt from funeral costs after they both worked hard all their adult lives to remain debt free.
Please consider helping this amazing young man find peace before he earns his angel wings by contributing to his funeral fund. Every dollar will go to offset the costs associated with giving him the service his wife so desperately wants for him.
If you are unable to donate funds, the couple asks for your prayers to help them find the strength they'll both need during this heartbreaking end of their journey.
According to Nico, "Since I got cancer, I knew I'd have a new life, either here on earth with my wife or waiting for her in heaven."
With heartfelt gratitude from the staff at The Dear Jack Foundation for helping make this Life List wish come true.
www.dearjackfoundation.com
Organizer and beneficiary
Dear Jack Foundation
Organizer
Denver, CO
Alfredo Hernandez Jr
Beneficiary