Niko was diagnosed with non germo germ cell brain tumor after suffering from hydrocephalus in June of 2024 at our home hospital, University of Vermont. He began chemo treatments as a part of a clinical study at Mass General and was able to complete rotations 2-6 at UVMMC once the IRB was opened in VT. Unfortunately, he didn't respond to chemo after cycles 4 and tried to dissect the tumor with two failed brain surgeries in November of 2024. After the holidays, we traveled to Boston Children's for a 7th round of chemo and stem cell transplant. He followed that treatment with radiation at Memorial Sloan Kettering for 6 weeks. He was "in remission" from April 2025-July 2025 when his scan came back showing the tumor had returned. We "hit pause" to allow him to enjoy summer and had another brain tumor dissection surgery, #4 in August. We were exploring further treatment followed by insurance denials and the tumor continued to grow at an expansional rate! In the meantime, Niko earned his Eagle Scout rank while organizing a Lego fundraising drive hrs later, he suffered from hydrocephalus=brain surgery #6. The brain surgery was not able to completely dissect the tumor, resulting in an additional 15 days of radiation. We are turning the corner with his last date of treatment on Monday and preparing for his 8th round of chemo, back home in VT, after the Thanksgiving holiday. What an exhausting 18 months it has been! 

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