Nicholas Marino Nicholas A. Marino

First post: Jan 2, 2008 Latest post: Jun 6, 2009
This page has been created to keep everyone updated on Nick's fight and win with Bilateral Wilms' Tumor. Nick was diagnosed with cancer in both kidneys at age 1. He is now 15 (2016) and is cancer free!!
When Nick was born he took my breath away and I never wanted it back! 

We have been through it all and Nick has the scars to show how brave he has been at such a young age. 72 weeks of chemo (approx 4 1/2 years) and 6 days of intense radiation. He had a nephrectomy (removal of right kidney), a football size tumor and 2/3 of his left kidney. He's been surviving on 1/3 of 1 kidney. He will need a kidney transplant in the near future, myself and Nicks 10 year old sister are both matches to donate a kidney to Nick. 

What everyone tends to overlook is post chemo. Chemo has been so hard on Nick's functioning organs, his strength, his body and his overall wellbeing. I know kids tease each other, but I hope this makes Nick a super strong kid growing up. It's taught my son the most important life lesson. Not to judge anyone because you don't know the battle they have fought to get to where they are today. It's taught him to be nice to everyone, have compassion and empathy to those who
struggle. No one chose to be sick or have a


Nick came Into this life with issues he didn't choose but he is fighting like he won't lose! One of they many reasons I'm truly proud he calls me mom!!

Nicholas has taught me far more than all my Northwestern University Instructors put together. I still struggle sometimes, still lose my sense of wonder, and forget the power of prayer. At times, I get lost and long for the meaningless preoccupations that once dominated my life. But Nick forgives me for my limitations, loving me unconditionally exactly as I am. There are whole weeks when I forget that my son had cancer. But there’s never a moment when I don’t feel incredibly lucky to be sharing life’s perilous, unpredictable, wonderful adventures with a son who, in his own ways, is absolutely perfect. And thinks his mama is perfect as well.
With everything I've been through with Nick I would trade it for anything. We don't let cancer define Nick. I love my kids beyond words can describe. When I die and go to heaven I'm afraid God will ask "Why didn't you become you.... " My response will be: "Because I lived for my kids and did it with the best of my ability".

~Karrie Marino~

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