Nicolette’s Story

Site created on April 24, 2007

Nicolette Cariveau is 12 years old and in 6th grade at Schroeder Middle School in Grand Forks N D.
On Friday April 20th 2007 as a parent our worst nightmare happened, they found a brain tumor in Nicolettes head.
If you don't know Nicolette personally , she is the sweetest most caring person I know, and I'm not just saying that because I'm her mother .


Nicolette was getting headaches first we started with the eye check up she did get glasses but she was still getting headaches. When she got a headache she would just say I have a headache. she wouldn't cry or say it was really painfull . But a couple a weeks ago the school office called and said she wasn't feeling good we picked her up and she later threw up 5 times when she got home , but then felt fine I thought maybe she got some bad food. Then a week later the office called again and before we got there she threw up again . Then I thought this isn't right. Lots of people said sounds like Migranes she's at that age being close to 12. I called and got her a doc apt on Tues April 17th It was a Nurse Pract. Christina Olson . She checked her over from head to toe said it sounds like Migraines but I'd like to do a cat scan .So we got the aptt for Friday April 20 . I picked up Nicolette from school she was her happy self she came skipping to the pickup with her big bright smile on! Picked up her dance stuff since she was going to dance right after the aptt. When they did the Cat scan Danny and I were in the room with her. she did so good! But I noticed through the veiwing window I could see them looking at the screen I had a knot in my stomach. We then went to the waiting room to wait. a few min later the surgen and a Doc came into the room carring the Xray the knot became bigger , he held it up to the window and told us our wost nightmare!! There was a mass in her brain and so much spinal fluid they needed to do an MRI. She laid so good she closed her eyes as was still for 45 min>. We then went into the waiting room he came to show us the scans. It was a brain tumor the size of a golf ball and it was blocking the Ventracles so there was so much spinal fluid in her brain they said they had to admitt her to the hospital then because if she went home and anymore fluid went in she would go into a comma. And she needed to have surgery at 8:30 the next morning to remove the tummor. It was the begining of a nightmare that I haven't still woken up from yet! She was so brave I have never seen anyone as little and as strong as her! We did't get much sleep that night Dad & I stayed in the hospital room with her that night.
The next morning she went to surgery still as brave as ever. She was in Surgery for 2 Hours They think they got 80 - 90 % of the tummor , but couldnt get it all because it would have caused her to be parilized on her right side.
We got to see her about 45 min later she was a wake and alert and knew everyting and everybody !!!Sat. Night was a tough night she had some reaction to med and was talking crazy and seeing things it was horriable about 3:00a.m. they gave her some Valum and I think we all feel asleep at the same time Danny and i slept right beside her in SCCU.
She got out of SCCU on Sunday about 2:00 p.m. And Monday afternoon she got the bandages and drain tube out. and he said she could go home. We went home about 6:00 p.m. on Monday . We couldn't beleive how well she was doing that quick after brain surgery.They sent the tumor away for tests and Monday April 30th they are going to give us the name of the tumor and what the next step is. They think radiation to get rid of the rest of it.
So please anyone that is reading about Nicolette please please pray for her because she Is our light !!! Thanks for caring !!

Newest Update

January 29, 2024

Journal entry by Diane Cariveau —

We are Driving home from the cities now, I Just wanted to jump on and thank all of you for the continued prayers and support you have given our family throughout these past 17 years , some have known Nicolette since she was 11 when her  painful journey started , some have never met her , but continue to love , support and pray for her , some maybe follow her journey because your friends or family know her . Who ever you are just know that we appreciate each and everyone of you! ❤️
Today the oncologist was very pleased with Nicolettes scans !! There was no change in the spot that was there in November so that was the news we were all praying for! I can’t even begin to tell you how thankful and happy we are today!  Before the dr came in Nicolette said , I think we should all put or fingers together and say a prayer , she said the prayer as we sat with our fingers intertwined ,  praying for a good scan 
(and really  I can’t even remember what else she prayed for because my stomach was in knots and I felt like throwing up , literally!! ) It’s truly the most awful feeling when your scared sick at how the next 5 minutes are going to either shatter your world ( we know that feeling all to well ) or give you feelings of happiness and relief like you could ever imagine! Today we got the feelings of such happiness !’ it was AWESOME! Nicolette asked the dr if she could hug her and of course Dr. Neil said yes!❤️🌈
We will go back again in 3 months, this is unfortunately a forever thing , there is no cure   ( yet!) 
  Yes , It’s  always on our minds , but we will sleep a little better  tonight!!!❤️❤️🌈 Thanks  again for all your prayers , love and support!! 
Read More of the journal titled "January 29, 2024"
  • Had to drop off some pop tops before appointments 
    Had to drop off some pop tops before appointments
  • Can you see the smile on her brain image?? �
    Can you see the smile on her brain image?? 😁
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