Nikki Mikulich bucket list trip

Hello Friends and Family-

I am a 15+ year friend of a very loving family in Mokena whose beautiful young daughter named Nicole (Nikki)Mikulich has a rare form of Glioblastoma grade IV brain cancer.  This disease is extremely rare for someone of her age (23) and it is unfortunately terminal.

The family has recently discovered that a side effect of Nikki's treatment is loss of vision.  I was also surprised to find out that the Make a Wish foundation does not have assistance or programs for adults.

Nikki's vision has already started to fade.  

Nikki is fighting the fight hard and really isn't complaining.  She is remaining positive.

I am kindly asking for your support.  Whether it be a monetary donation to help the family get some things off off Nikki's bucket list done before her eyesight is completely gone or to make life a little easier for them and/or if you can please share this post on your wall.  I would greatly appreciate you helping give to a family who has a very tough road ahead of them.  Whatever you can do to help make Nikki's life a little easier would be greatly appreciated. 

If your children have been in the Lincolnway High School District in any of the last 10 years, you know this family of 5.  Sandy and and Guy Mikulich have three children: Max, Nikki and Cassie. 

I am asking each one of you now to please help out this sweet, kind, respectful and strong young adult.  Whatever you can give...I am grateful for the help.

Please read the information below I asked Nikki and her family to write about their family.

From Nikki:

Just a few months after my college graduation I was very sick. We figured it was just one of my regular sinus infections but it took a turn for the worse, and I ended up in the emergency room where they found a tumor the size of a lemon in the left frontal lobe of my brain. My official diagnosis is Glioblastoma grade IV brain cancer, which is very rare for someone my age and is terminal. Neither I, nor my family, ever imagined that so soon after receiving my degree in history from Northern Illinois University, and  having an internship at the Pritzker Military Museum and Library in downtown Chicago, would I be diagnosed with a rare and dangerous brain cancer. I knew I had to fight hard. Thankfully the medical team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital was able to remove the tumor within a week of my diagnosis. But my fight against cancer continues.

After weeks of chemotherapy and radiation as well as clinical trial infusions, my treatments are less frequent.   I’m not a huge fan of my MRIs every 8 weeks, or being stuck with a needle for blood work and infusions, but so far we have no signs of tumor  regrowth and I am doing well. My only real complaint is my eyesight. I have developed microcysts on my corneas due to my treatment. These cysts are like frosted glass in my vision. Although they are not permanent damages to my eyes, as long as I receive treatment they will persist. My eyesight brings me to my goal for the summer:

Being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and having my eyesight being taken from me as a side effect of treatment, has made me realize I have yet to see some of the most beautiful sights in America.

I want to travel with my family to see Mt. Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, etc. and our capital city-Washington D.C.

The easiest and safest way for this to happen, is to take an RV road trip to see Mt. Rushmore and the Grand Canyon this summer. And hopefully in the fall take a trip to D.C. I am especially excited to go to the Smithsonian Museum because I love history. Unfortunately these trips cost money. And there are no Make A Wish opportunities for young adults. 

If you’d like to know more about me, here are some fun facts:

I’m 23 years old.

I have a 26 year old brother named, Max, and a 19 year old sister named Cassie

My parents are Guy and Sandy

I LOVE PENGUINS!

I studied abroad for a summer in Bordeaux, France, while in college

I have two pet chinchillas named Igloo and Kiwi
I like to cross-stitch

My favorite color is blue

I spend lots of time with my Great Aunt and Grandma

I am a very kind and selfless girl, I do anything I can for the people I care about (says my sister and Mom)

I really like music, and was in band and choir growing up

-Thank you for reading about Nikki