Nicholas Vicidomini was a 7 ½ year old dynamo when he was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (T-cell type with bone marrow involvement) on July 1, 2006. For the three weeks before diagnosis, he had had difficulty breathing and increased fatigue. After ruling out a cold and bronchitis, his breathing became so labored that he had to be airlifted to Hershey, PA’s Penn State Children’s Hospital. Cancer, the unthinkable diagnosis, became a reality the next day after an x-ray showed an 8 inch tumor in his chest. Nick underwent eight months of intense chemotherapy in the hospital and in the outpatient clinic. He endured three surgeries during this time. Currently in remission from his cancer, Nick still takes oral chemotherapy every day and goes to the clinic monthly for blood work and spinal taps. Migraines are his main side effect; these are believed to be caused by his chemotherapy drugs. We hope that Nick will complete his treatment in March 2010.

Nick has an incredibly positive attitude and thankfully forgets the worst parts of his treatment. He loves jokes, his seven-year-old brother Tyler, and his friends in his 3rd grade class. When asked about his cancer treatment, he recounts stories of the kind doctors and nurses at Hershey, the fun activities provided by the Child Life Staff, Penn State events with the Four Diamonds Fund, and our Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyworld. We are thankful to God and our extended community of family and friends that have cared for us during Nicholas’ treatment.

Written by: The Vicidomini's