Nickolai is Celebrating

On February 18th, eat a scoop to celebrate with Nickolai who learned that his type 4 medulloblastoma1 had gone in remission on August 16, 2022. #childhoodcancer, because #kidsgetcancertoo. @eaticecreamday

Nickolai is happy and  is very funny and is a real thinker and asks his school teacher’s questions they don’t know how to answer. Nickolai loves being a prankster and having fun with his friends. He can also tell you everything about Minecraft. He is my little mate that followed me everywhere and had to do what dad does.

Nickolai’s dad says:

My wife and I got married in 2008 in Newcastle Australia and in 2013 we’re blessed to welcome our baby boy Nickolai into our little family. We love going fishing and the beach where Nickolai could spend all day in the sand. We are a close little family.

Nickolai was 8 years 6 months when he started to get headaches and vomiting in the early hours of the morning. When Nickolai had an MRI scan on October 18, 2021 that revealed a golf ball-size brain tumor and three spinal tumors, our lives changed completely.

He underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove the brain tumour and was diagnosed with type 4 medulloblastoma and started radiation 11 days after surgery, which was extremely risky but we were told to wait until the 28-day recovery period would be too late. A further MRI showed the spinal tumours were growing and white specs were all over his spine. 

As a consequence of his illness, we have to travel from Port Hedland, Western Australia, to Perth, Western Australia, for treatment, and we are so grateful to our doctors and nurses. Following 30 radiation treatments, Nickolai underwent 7 cycles of chemotherapy. On August 16, his results confirmed NED full remission and has been in remission for 6 months with his latest MRI lumbar puncture showing all clear.

This is amazing, but Nickolai’s journey has been heartbreaking. As a result of his surgery, Nickolai developed posterior fossa syndrome and took four months to learn to say ‘mama’ and ‘daddy’ and spent nine months on a feeding tube. As a result of chemotherapy, Nickolai still requires hearing aids; his vision is spotty, and he can’t walk yet.

Throughout this journey and rehabilitation, Nickolai has been strong and determined throughout and continues to push the boundaries.