Support Nicole's Journey after Brain Surgery

Nicole's Challenge-The Comeback is Greater than the Setback.

On June 14, 2024, Nicole was just 5 days away from completing her 3rd year of medical school. She was busy studying for her Step 2 medical exams and was coming home to Garden City for her cousin's bridal shower. Who would have thought she would wind up here... as a patient recovering from a brain tumor. Nicole's dream is to be a doctor and to help others, and she was well on her way. She had her 4th-year rounds all set up in Massachusetts, where she would be living with her boyfriend, Colin. Nicole had been complaining of headaches, but we all thought it was the stress of medical school and the exams. When she returned to Garden City on June 14th, she went to her internist, Dr. Hazan, to get some paperwork signed for her upcoming work in Boston. While at that visit, she dropped her wallet. As she picked it up, she said, 'OUCH.' Dr. Hazan did not like that reaction or what Nicole described to her that was going on and sent her downstairs for a CT scan. Two hours later, Nicole was telling me that she had a mass on her brain and was headed straight over to NYU Langone. We met Nicole there right away and met the team of doctors that would take care of her. Rey had just gone through his own brain surgery to correct a level 4 fistula, and remarkably, one of Nicole's doctors was the wife of Rey's neurosurgeon. We knew that we were in the best hands. (Rey has his second surgery scheduled this December.)

Nicole was transferred to NYU Kimmel, and on Monday, June 17th, she had a 15-hour surgery to remove her tumor. The tumor is called a JPA, and it was on her cerebellum. Nicole's recovery was stormy as she developed hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain) and had to have a second surgery. We were in ICU for 5 weeks. As a result of the location of the tumor, Nicole has issues with her speech, vision, balance, and coordination. She has to learn everything all over again. After Kimmel, we went to RUSK Rehabilitation in the city for 6 weeks. Then, it was finally time to go home. Nicole and I stayed with my parents for 8 weeks. We needed a lot of help. After our stay with my mom and dad, we came home to Brook St. We got our house ready and made accommodations for Nicole to be as independent as possible. Nicole's lack of balance, coordination, and vision loss are extremely challenging. She has extensive speech, PT, OT, and eye therapy in her recovery program. Unfortunately, her insurance coverage has reached its limit. Nicole is our HERO and works hard every day. She wakes up at 6:30 am, we start therapy at 8:00 am, and we usually don't finish until 6:00 pm. We do this 5 days a week! But, she needs some at-home equipment to help her be independent. This is very difficult for our family- we did not think that we would need help, but we do. We do not want to deny Nicole any services that would enhance her recovery. Nicole's dream is to complete medical school and pay it forward. Nothing- and I mean nothing is going to stop her.

Colleen and Rey