For many, the biggest difficulty in life is asking for help. Imagine someone, a healer by profession, who’s entire career revolves around uplifting people and remedying physical pain… suddenly having to heal her own.

I’m writing this in support of my dear friend Nino, a genuinely amazing person with the most positive energy, always eager to brighten someone’s day… so I really hope you can help me brighten her future days.

On April 23rd, Nino was at her daughter’s music recital sitting beside her loving husband, Robert when she looked over at him and didn’t notice him clapping. Rather, Robert had turned a ghostly pale color and mumbled, “I’m not feeling well.”

Nino, a super hard working wife and mother, who had always come home after a day of overtime to make sure that all 3 of her kids were fed (husband, 8 yr old daughter, and 16 yr old son) had been noticing that her husband was showing signs of disorientation and forgetfulness for a couple of days now. She had dragged him to his primary care before regarding these concerns but the doctor had reassured her that Robert’s health was above par. But at this recital, he wasn’t doing as par.

Nino rushed him to the emergency room, thinking he may have had a stroke. At the hospital he was resisting the wait and became defensive about his health. Thankfully she convinced him to stay, but little did she know the extent of their stay. As the resident physician approached her with sad eyes, she knew that the MRI had showed something bad, but not three malignant brain tumors kind of bad. Nino and Robert were introduced to the lead neurosurgeon quickly after, and once vitals permitted, Robert underwent a craniotomy. 

Two weeks in a hospital chair, Nino sat there helpless, researching all sorts of remedies, second opinions, consulting with people who’ve been through similar situations, but never once did she think “why me?” Nino had no choice but to take two weeks of unpaid leave from work, has dug into the little savings that they had to pay for transportation, childcare, and cover the cost of special meals for Robert. Robert is currently undergoing 10 rounds of radiation, 5 more aggressive ones post completion, and then will have a PET cT to determine where the cancer had metastasized from (possible lung primary).

Nino and Robert do not have much family here to help and Nino’s been trying to stay strong for her kids by keeping them busy with their typical daily activities, and while rushing to pick up her husband from radiation or rehabilitation.  While Robert is currently undergoing treatment at Methodist hospital, his insurance doesn’t cover all medical care.  Robert is just 48 years old and although he’s regaining some cognitive abilities slowly, he will not be able to return to work due to his inability to drive. Aside from that, he’s got a long way of recovery to go.

While they try to stay positive, I can’t imagine how difficult it has to be to tell your 8 year old daughter that the 35 staples on daddy’s head are from a casual fall.  Or how sad it could be when you’re 16 year old son is hesitant to celebrate mother’s day because “it’s not fair that dad is in the hospital.”



Please support Nino in this unexpected and unfortunate time <3