got the first biopsy test back earlier,pending further tests they are saying that he has germ cell cancer, basically the same thing that Lance Armstrong had,it is considered one of the more treatable cancers.

At this point they need the other results so that they know more specifics and what course of treatment will be followed.

I had braced myself for the worst situation and now that it seems to be here,all we can do is focus on the future.

Nick is has adopted a very positive attitude and I can do no less.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers

Having a 19 year old boy studing Engineering also, I thank God for his health everything. We will continue to Pray for your Son. As his health improves please don't forget to thank God for all the good he does for all of us. Remember God is Great. He can do wonders for your Son.

Hey Mark
I will add you and Nick to our prayers.
As I type this I am also sitting next to my son Nickolas's hospital bed. Nick, has many stays in the hospital in his 12 years, and most of them were planned surguries for his heart. Those planned visits are a lot easier to deal with for us as parents, because you have the time to mentaly prepare for them. This past monday we went in to wake Nick for school, and he was going thru a shunt failure, and might have asperated during the night. They air lifted him to childrens hospital in Seattle, where he is doing well. We have another surgery scheduled for monday, and hopefully we will be back home the end of next week.
I feel for both you and your son, I know from personal experience, that the not know what is hapening, or what's the dianosis, is the worst part.
On the positve end the medical technology feild has advanced greatly in the past twenty years, and there is so much more they are capable of doing.
If there is anything I can do, or you just need to talk to some one, please let me know.
I hope all goes well.

Don

hang in there! i am a lymphoma survivor with multiple tumors and such. you and your family have my prayers.

Mark
Your son and family will be in my prayers
Ed

As you know Germ cell is treatable, be sure and talk to your Dr. about Sperm banking. He is a young man and will get through this but some of the treatments might hinder him being a father. Just make sure you are thinking ahead cause he has a long life in front of him. Most Germ cell is associated with testis but this may not be in your son case. Just ask.

Just saw this, very sorry to hear, and you and your son, and family are in my prayers.
Glad that the preliminary test has come back with treatable results.

Just a note of support. Letting you know your family and son are in our prayers.

Your boy and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.:(

Stay strong, and never give up searching all possibilities. One of the things we learned with Terri's Mom, the major players do not recommend any other facility because they are all competing for $. Look for yourself and make lots of calls.

Thoughts and prayers to you and your family, I can't imagine how tough this is to be going through, hopefully with treatment he will get better.

Jim

Your son is in our prayers. The power of prayers work.



mike

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement. We have made the decision to have Nick transferred to University Of Texas M.D. Anderson cancer center.

Wow...another note of support here too. Lets hope for the best.

Our prayers are with you and yours. It is understandable how a life can be so fragile...
Around September, I was feeling fatigued all day, and not more than 7 months ago I was diagnosed with what is called a Viral Cardiomyopathy.
Adisease of unknown origin that attacks the heart muscle, weakening it severely and basically it came down to either it strengthens in time with medications, (mine was only pumping 15% of the 55-60% normal rating), I will need a defibrillator installed in my chest to shock my a$$ when I have an eurhythmia, or a HEART TRANSPLANT...which after the second Echo Cardiogram (end of November) it looked like the later was inevitable.
Swallowing that at 34 years old, having a 15 month old at home with a new family and an entire hospital knowing you as "tha young guy" and knowing I would possibly be put on the heart transplant list was grueling. Everyone asked how I kept such a calm, cool head about me. Wasn't easy. Assure him every day it will be ok and he will grow strength, but don't force it on him... he will remain strong.
At least there is definitely hope he can be treated, in this day and age it is almost second nature to fix issues leading to failures.
Follow what everyones thoughts are.. ask alot of questions and research the hell out of it. Like MsPatriyacht said... a pen and paper are usually your best ears. I have half a notebook filled with information from 5 different Cardiologists. no lie.
With our prayers combined, blessed is he and he will remain in delicate hands to restore him and heal all wounds.
We will all look forward to his recovery, and he will always continue in our prayers.
If he would ever need to speak with anyone, I would be happy to lend an ear and help him through it.
My cell # is 732.688.7229
SIncerely,
"tha young guy"

Thoughts and prayers.
Matt

Wishing him a full recovery.Will be in our thoughts and prayers

Best wishes with the family,
Mark

went through this with my farther & Grandmother last year. Be strong my friend:cool:

Thoughts and prayers

My prayers go out to Nick and your family, from a fellow engineer.

It has been proven medically that people who have others pray for their recovery, recover faster and more often. No one knows the exact cause, but I certainly would print these prayers out and let Nick read them. It could just give him the boost to his immune system he needs.

Best wishes,

Michael

My prayers to your son and family.

Thoughts and prayers for He and your Family !

Hope for speed recovery !!

You are all in our prayers!

sorry to hear it was not benign, more prayers are sent for you and the others on the thread that are also going through health problems.

thoughts and prayers sorry to hear that

Keep the faith, prayers for you and your family.

Praying for a full recovery for your son. We have two boys that too often we take for granted. Hope all works out well.

Ted, Donna, Brady & Brooks.

Here is an update on my son Nick.

We managed to get him transferred to MD Anderson Cancer center which is considered to be a leading Hospital of it's kind.

They spent four days doing additional tests several of which were tests to benchmark things like pulmonary, renal and auditory function( they use this information to ensure that Chemo is not doing too much damage). On Friday we got the news that the cancer is confirmed as Germ Cell and is only on his left lung, it is considered high risk due to it's location.

The Doctors are confident that they will be able to beat this thing. Nick finished his first cycle of Chemo Sunday night and went home, he is suffering some pretty bad nausea, but it seems to be subsiding a little now.

The next cycle of Chemo starts May 18th and on each 21st day after.

I can not emphasize enough the difference between a hospital that has a cancer center and a hospital that does nothing but treat cancer. MD Anderson is an incredible place with resources for both the patient and relatives that you would never expect to get.

The staff and doctors were great and very patient seemingly having whatever time it took to answer all your questions. Amazingly, the food was really good and delivered to the rooms by waiters wearing tuxes, the menu ran to four pages. They are very big on maintaining weight:cool:


Nick is maintaining a good attitude and I am doing the same.

Keep staying positive Mark, Best wishes and Prayers to Nick, You and your family. I just had my boat stolen last night and when I read this thread my problems are insurmountable. Material things can be replaced any day. Nick sounds like a real trooper. He's definately beating this thing! Best Wishes
Josh

Glad to hear that treatment is going well.

It never hurts to due research on hospitals, All your efforts will only help your son......I have been reading the posts and your son is very lucky to have a father that cares as much as you........Things always have a way of working out......


GODS SPEED ........................nocigarette

All the best to your son. Let us know if u need anything.

your boy will be in our prayers.call jim black of rpm ministries if you need someone to talk to

our prayers and thoughts are with you and yours, tell Nick to think positive and be determined,

Hang in there....kids can spring back from the worst of things. They are very resilient survivors. Prayers are with you.

sounds like you are on the right track, my heart and prayers go out to you and your family. Hang tough Nick, there is a lot of people pulling for you.

We will continue to keep your son in our prayers.
Dan & Vicki

our thoughts and prayers go out to your son and family....

Oz

Well tomorrow is the big day, Nick has gone through 4 cycles of level 5 chemo, had some bad days but has responded well.

Now they are going to do a 4-5 hour surgery that involves splitting his chest and removing the tumor that sits between his heart and his left lung.

His prognosis is very good and he has been very brave throughout.

Surgery is scheduled for about 9am, If you would, please keep him in your thoughts tomorrow. After that he is looking at maybe two more cycles of chemo and hopefully done.

Thank you,