Move Mountains for Nick Cantone
Donation protected
Nicholas was skateboarding to work, like the cool hippie kid that he is, when he was hit by a truck! Determined to keep up his good work ethic and provide for his family, he just shook it off and asked the driver that hit him to give him a ride to work. He told his boss what happened and his boss of course demanded he go to the hospital to get checked for any broken bones. He was willing to finish his work day but luckily his boss and his family were adamant he go to the hospital right away.
Well once he was there he was approached by multiple doctors in lab coats who began to ask him questions. He knew something wasn’t right and this was much more serious than some potential broken bones. At that moment, his life was forever changed.
His x-rays came back revealing a large mass in his chest. After two chest biopsies, his tumor sample was sent to MD Anderson Cancer Center head quarters in Houston, Texas. It was revealed that he had Mediastinal Large B-Cell Non-Hodkins Lymphoma, a blood cancer affecting his lymphatic system. He then began a rigorous chemotherapy regimen consisting of being hospitalized for five consecutive days every three weeks for about six months. Upon finishing chemotherapy, he was told that his tumor was dormant but he was still scheduled for a PET scan within the next six months as a check-up.
Six-months later he received his scan and it was revealed that his tumor had grew back and that he had a new growth in another spot, diagnosing him with Stage 2 lymphoma. To verify the diagnosis was indeed the same type of cancer as before, He had to undergo yet another chest biopsy. After the results came back, it was concluded that it was the same type of cancer, Large B-Cell Non-Hodkins Lymphoma, only this time it is Stage 2.
Nicholas went back in the hospital receiving chemotherapy for three consecutive days every 3 weeks for 3 months. He turned 21 finishing off his chemotherapy. The next step was getting Nick approved for proton therapy. This request was denied twice by his health insurance and through the grace of God and one determined mommy - he was finally approved!!!!!!!!
In proton therapy, energy is carried by protons — the positively charged particles in an atom. Protons are raised to a high energy level by a powerful machine called a particle accelerator. Unlike the photons in X-rays, proton beams stop after releasing their energy within their target. A proton beam can be much more finely controlled, so higher doses of radiation can be more safely delivered to tumors with less risk to healthy tissue. In properly selected patients, proton beam therapy has clear advantages in terms of short- and long-term complications. This is especially important when tumors are located next to critical organs—Like his heart and lungs!!!!
He will then be submitted into the hospital to stay for an entire month to receive a stem cell transplant. During that time he will not be able to leave the hospital and his health will be in great risk.
He will need to stay in a place very close to the hospital in case he spikes a fever. His fiancé will need to take care of him 24/7. During this time, she will hopefully receive FMLA from her work, but with that she will not be paid for her time away from work and as of right now Nicholas is not receiving any disability so their family is working very hard to get by financially and keep a positive outlook on things.
We ask of you, first and foremost, all the prayers and positive energy that we can get to make it through this vast obstacle in life.
Secondly and Urgently, please help donate. His family needs financial support to make sure Victoria is there to take care of Nick after his stem cell treatment. They need a place to stay close to the hospital so that no time is wasted if he gets sick. (ASAP) They need to make sure their bills and their two year old son is taken care of. (This portion of the donations are needed immediatly! In the next 20 days) They also are under a mountain of medical bills from not only this round of treatment but also from his first battle with cancer in 2015.
Thank you for taking the time to read Nicholas story. We will be updating his story as he continues through his journey to BEAT CANCER.
Fun Facts about Nick!
*Dude can skateboard
*He loves the Grateful Dead and Willie Nelson
*He has the sweetest pitbull names Santana, after Carlos Santana
*He’s a devoted fiancé to Victoria
*He’s a very loving and playful Father to his Son Matthew Indigo
*He wants the Best for Everyone
Well once he was there he was approached by multiple doctors in lab coats who began to ask him questions. He knew something wasn’t right and this was much more serious than some potential broken bones. At that moment, his life was forever changed.
His x-rays came back revealing a large mass in his chest. After two chest biopsies, his tumor sample was sent to MD Anderson Cancer Center head quarters in Houston, Texas. It was revealed that he had Mediastinal Large B-Cell Non-Hodkins Lymphoma, a blood cancer affecting his lymphatic system. He then began a rigorous chemotherapy regimen consisting of being hospitalized for five consecutive days every three weeks for about six months. Upon finishing chemotherapy, he was told that his tumor was dormant but he was still scheduled for a PET scan within the next six months as a check-up.
Six-months later he received his scan and it was revealed that his tumor had grew back and that he had a new growth in another spot, diagnosing him with Stage 2 lymphoma. To verify the diagnosis was indeed the same type of cancer as before, He had to undergo yet another chest biopsy. After the results came back, it was concluded that it was the same type of cancer, Large B-Cell Non-Hodkins Lymphoma, only this time it is Stage 2.
Nicholas went back in the hospital receiving chemotherapy for three consecutive days every 3 weeks for 3 months. He turned 21 finishing off his chemotherapy. The next step was getting Nick approved for proton therapy. This request was denied twice by his health insurance and through the grace of God and one determined mommy - he was finally approved!!!!!!!!
In proton therapy, energy is carried by protons — the positively charged particles in an atom. Protons are raised to a high energy level by a powerful machine called a particle accelerator. Unlike the photons in X-rays, proton beams stop after releasing their energy within their target. A proton beam can be much more finely controlled, so higher doses of radiation can be more safely delivered to tumors with less risk to healthy tissue. In properly selected patients, proton beam therapy has clear advantages in terms of short- and long-term complications. This is especially important when tumors are located next to critical organs—Like his heart and lungs!!!!
He will then be submitted into the hospital to stay for an entire month to receive a stem cell transplant. During that time he will not be able to leave the hospital and his health will be in great risk.
He will need to stay in a place very close to the hospital in case he spikes a fever. His fiancé will need to take care of him 24/7. During this time, she will hopefully receive FMLA from her work, but with that she will not be paid for her time away from work and as of right now Nicholas is not receiving any disability so their family is working very hard to get by financially and keep a positive outlook on things.
We ask of you, first and foremost, all the prayers and positive energy that we can get to make it through this vast obstacle in life.
Secondly and Urgently, please help donate. His family needs financial support to make sure Victoria is there to take care of Nick after his stem cell treatment. They need a place to stay close to the hospital so that no time is wasted if he gets sick. (ASAP) They need to make sure their bills and their two year old son is taken care of. (This portion of the donations are needed immediatly! In the next 20 days) They also are under a mountain of medical bills from not only this round of treatment but also from his first battle with cancer in 2015.
Thank you for taking the time to read Nicholas story. We will be updating his story as he continues through his journey to BEAT CANCER.
Fun Facts about Nick!
*Dude can skateboard
*He loves the Grateful Dead and Willie Nelson
*He has the sweetest pitbull names Santana, after Carlos Santana
*He’s a devoted fiancé to Victoria
*He’s a very loving and playful Father to his Son Matthew Indigo
*He wants the Best for Everyone
Organizer and beneficiary
Lea Boggs
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ
Nicholas Cantone
Beneficiary
