Team Nick

Nick Phifer age 12  was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma. Ewing's Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer (fewer than 1000 US cases a year) that occurs in the bones and soft tissue around the bones. Nick has a tumor that is 7 inches long that has wrapped around his femur bone also causing cracks in the bone. After his chemo treatments the doctors will go in and do surgery and do a bone transplant if needed.  He will be undergoing 9 months of chemotherapy.  Please donate to help Rick and Sonya Phifer, with medical bills, food, and general living expenses as Sonya will not be working due to staying and caring for Nick through this long journey.  Thank you August 28, 2019 We met with Dr.Scott Borinstein at Vanderbilt today to discuss the results of Nick's bone marrow biopsy. Nick has a condition called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) or in layman's terms, Pre Leukemia, mostly likely caused by the chemo drugs used to treat his Ewing's Sarcoma. This is very rare to happen, in fact only 1% of patients get this from chemo. Dr. B explained to us that he has some abnormal cells of leukemia type lying there, smoldering, waiting to become full blown leukemia. The best treatment option for this is a bone marrow transplant, Nick will be getting his central line access, hopefully, the latter part of this week. Then, beginning Monday, he will begin the new chemo drugs to keep the symptoms at bay until Nick is ready for the transplant. He will have chemo every day next week as an outpatient. Rick, Sonya, Jaiden, Nick and Jack , had their cheeks swabbed today in search of a donor for Nick. Dr. B explained how Jack would most likely be the best donor for Nick and with less complications than the other 3. He estimates about 2 to 3 weeks to complete all tests for the donor. He hopes to do the bone marrow transplant in about a month. Nick's physical body will have to be prepped and conditioned and all of his bone marrow depleted in order to accept the new marrow from the donor. With all of this process, per Dr. B, stated it has its risks and complications. Depending on the severity of the complications will determine how long this treatment plan will take. Optimistically speaking, Dr B estimates 6 months. Once Nick has the transplant, he will remain in the hospital for one month, watching for any and all complications, He will then be watched super close for his first 100 days after leaving the hospital. Dr. B explained this procedure was no walk in the park and was a "really big deal". Therefore, prayer warriors, Nick is going to need you like never before to pray daily. He needs your support every day of his life. Nick is up to the challenge once again. During his last cancer round, he voiced many times his concern asking, "can it possibly come back"? He is the bravest little guy you will ever find to have just completed his Sarcoma treatment and now to start all over again this soon. It is heartbreaking to watch him face this huge challenge once again. We know God is in the details and he has a plan for Nick, as unfair as it seems for us to understand, I sat and watched Nick and Jack being swabbed today and marveled at the bravery of these two precious boys. Nick is wanting Jack to be his donor and Jack is willing to undergo the procedure to save his brother's life. So, friends and family of #NICKSTRONG, hang in there with us as we embark on another rollercoaster ride. With God, all things are possible, and regardless of what the doctor said, Nick can beat the odds of severe complications and breeze through this round. If anyone is reading this and would like to join the support group, there is a link to click to join. We cherish all prayers and support. We are over 400 members strong and growing. God bless you all. I will include a couple of pictures in this post of our brave little boys, also of Dr. B. and another doctor who is on his team of oncology doctors.