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Nick’s Story

Site created on August 22, 2018

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.

Here is a little background of what Nick has been through so far and what is to come:
Nick is battling NLP Hodgkin's Lymphoma for the 2nd time. His oncologist found that his cancer had come back during a routine check up. Similar to the first time, the cancer was found in his lymph nodes, abdomen, and spleen. His spleen was the biggest problem he had to deal with initially. After a scan and a couple different biopsies, Nick's doctor determined that removing the spleen would be the best move. His 10 pound spleen was removed on June 14th and, after a few days in the hospital, he was sent home to recover until chemo could begin.

Chemotherapy treatment began on June 28th. Each treatment consisted of 4 different drugs over 3 days. It was around 36 hours of chemo with one drug being a 24 hour drip. It was rough but Nick went through it like a champ! He is so strong and he had to be constantly reminded to take it slow and not work as much or as hard as he would like.

The next step will be a stem cell transplant. This whole process will start September 5th and it could last til around October 7th. Surgery for a chest catheter is scheduled for Sept. 7th. On Sept. 10th the collection of stem cells begins and hopefully the 7 days of chemo can start Sept. 12th. After the 7 days of chemo the stem cells collected will be put back in and 10-14 days of recovery will begin.

Starting Sept. 12th Nick will have to stay in the Omaha area until the doctors give him the okay to go home. Nick, Kayla and Emmie plan on staying at a hotel for as much as Nick can tolerate. Once Nick begins to feel rough he will become an inpatient at the UNMC Buffet Cancer Center. Kayla will then travel back and forth from Omaha to Columbus to see Jackson and to be with Emmie and Nick.

We have a long road ahead of us but WE/NICK are determined to kick this cancer to the curb once and for all!!
As we learn more we will update you all here. Keep praying and thank you for your support!!

Newest Update

Journal entry by Kayla Hollatz — Oct 1, 2018

Nick still has a road of recovery ahead of him but HE IS HOME!!
His throwing up, fatigue and fevers are all things we are still watching but his numbers made a big jump on Friday. It was a such a big jump I got a call from Nick on Saturday and he said “I’m coming home”!!
We have to drive down all week for appointments but if we can keep his nausea and fevers lasting no more than an hour he won’t have to become inpatient again. 🙏🙏
The power of prayer is AMAZING!! We are so blessed and thankful to have your support during this road to a cancer free life. It will be a long one with no spleen and a weakened immune system but Nick is strong and eager to be “back to normal”. He’s so strong that his doctor has only seen one other patient be released from the hospital so early.
We are all so happy to be home, especially the kids. Jackson made a comfort blanket for Nick when he was at his grandmas and Emmie has been clinging to us since she saw us. Our beds felt amazing over the weekend and watching the Huskers win or lose at home is always better than watching in the hospital!!
Time to celebrate being home! 🎉

Read More of the journal titled "Surprise!"

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