In Oct. 2025, my daughter Nicole Watkins was diagnosed with the worst of 3 different types of non-small cell carcinoma of the left lung, which is called, "Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma." However, the genetic testing showed the cancer to be 94% small cell carcinoma, making this cancer even more unusual. The Tumor was larger than a tennis ball, is completely inoperable, considered RARE because it has grown into and wrapped itself around her Aorta and Trachea thru blood vessels, veins, and arteries, and was determined to be Stage 3. This is an aggressive fast growing type of cancer, so we are praying for God's Mercy in Nicole's Ability to survive this.
As of 1/12/26, She had received 12 Combo Chemotherapy, 3 Immunotherapy, and 34 Radiation Treatments. She is set for one Immunotherapy treatment each month for the next year. Her Chemo and Radiation treatments stopped on 1/12/26 to give them a chance to work in her system. Starting 4/10/2026, Nicole was put back on Chemo along with her immunotherapy, so now she has had 15 Chemo and 7 Immunotherapy treatments.
On 3/31/2026, she had a PET Scan to see where the tumor is sitting at this present time. We did not receive good news on the PET Scan. The cancer in now Stage 4 Metastatic, the lung tumor has grown again, and the cancer has spread to her lymph nodes, esophagus, liver, and spine by way of her bloodstream. Her liver has 3 tumors which have been diagnosed as non-small cell carcinoma. She will receive monthly Chemo and Immunotherapy with a PET scan every 3 months to see if the treatments are even helping her.
On 4/2/2026, she had an EGD because she is unable to eat most foods without choking, and had to drink many bottles of water while eating to try to get the food down, due to the Radiation treatments burning her Esophagus. She has since had another EGD to stretch the esophagus a bit more, and will have them every 2 weeks until the esophagus is stretched enough so she doesn't choke when eating.
She also suffers with Awful nerve pain in her chest, back, legs, and feet due to Chemo treatments, and the blood vessels in her chest pulling from the Tumor shrinkage. Her body is bloated and inflamed, and we hope with time this will get better. We are having utmost difficulty with her insurance allowing her pain meds to be filled consistently, so she is going days without pain meds, which is causing her a ridiculous amount of pain and suffering!
The Fear and Anxiety is Real, so Huge Prayers are Definitely needed!
Nicole still has 2 out of 5 sons living with her, and her severely Autistic son Tristin (11), is currently living in a group home and not doing very well, so he may have to come back home in the next few months. The 2 sons living with her are Alexander (11) and Calob (17). Nicole also has 21 and 23 year old sons, Darian and Joshua. Alexander's dad passed away from a massive heart attack in May of 2024, so he will be without both parents if Nicole does not survive this thing. PLEASE Pray for God to just take this Devil of a Tumor out of her body!
Nicole worked with me at Lucky Duck Gift & Thrift, McGregor MN for 3 years. As a matter of fact, it was her idea that even got us started. I was complaining about living around my dads stuff, his deceased wife's stuff, his deceased wife's brother and mother's stuff, and finally Nicole says, "Why don't you just put some tables out in the shop, price the stuff, put the stuff out on the tables, open the doors, and have a garage sale? It isn't THAT HARD MOM!" When this Mom finally followed Nicole's, her daughter's instructions, a few people said, "WOW, this would be a great place for a "Consignment Shop!" Well, the rest is History!
With both of us being uniquely gifted in our own ways, but Nicole being the Powerhouse and Endurable Strength of it all, we went from being a 32 year old Auto Repair Shop, to Tammy's Consignment Sales, to Lucky Duck Gift & Thrift, and finally to "Lucky Ducksters!" We are well known for giving out Free Candy and Rubber Ducks to all visitors, so "Lucky Ducksters" seemed to be the most appropriate name to give our shop. Without Nicole's resilient push to get things done, I would probably still be sitting here wondering what to do with this place, and continuing to complain about living around other people's stuff. Which is quite ironic, because that is EXACTLY what this business is all about, LOL! It is highly unfortunate that Nicole is unable to work with me now, so we are appealing to you for Financial Help, Prayers, and Shares of her GoFundMe campaign. To be Honest, I am totally Lost without this girls help here, so hopefully God will shine his Mercy and Grace on her so she gets well enough to grace "Lucky Ducksters" with her presence for a few more years.
Any monetary donations will go to help Nicole with:
- Travel Expenses to and from her treatments/doc appointments (diesel fuel and vehicle maintenance/if needed) (120 miles round trip).
- Alternative medications that insurance will not pay for with a monthly cost of nearly $1000. We have decided to try taking a holistic approach to possibly saving her life, since her cancer is now in advanced/terminal stage.
- Daily and Monthly Living Expenses (utilities, rent, phone, internet, personal care items)
- Food and Clothing for herself and her kids
- Possible entertainment if she's feeling well enough (when she visits her Autistic son, he likes to go to Chucky Cheese)
- Nicole does not have a vehicle to get herself to her treatments when she's able, so if anyone has one they aren't using, that is safe and runs good, please consider donating it to Nicole.
- End of Life care if she reaches that point, and unfortunately burial expenses if need be.
All monetary or gift card donations for them would be very much appreciated. Even small donations add up and will help her and her family.
Thank you so much for your Thoughts, Prayers, Donations and Shares during this very difficult time. Every little bit counts and helps!
We will update as more information becomes available.