Harrison's Story

 

Michael "Harrison" Nichols was diagnosed on May 15, 2002, with Stage IV Neuroblastoma.  Before diagnosis, Harrison was a normal healthy 3-year-old.  In April of 2002, Harrison was plagued with very high fevers initially attributed to viral infections.  As the weeks passed, Harrison experienced back pain, loss of appetite and eventually leg pain and refusal to walk.  On May 12, 2002, he was admitted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, the place he was born just 3 years earlier. Harrison underwent a series of tests and procedures that would become his daily routine in the years ahead.  Then, at the tender age of 3, he began his first cycle of high-dose chemotherapy. 

In late August of 2002, after Harrison's disease was determined as “refractory," he and his family left for New York City and the Neuroblastoma Team at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. 

In the 6 years following Harrison's diagnosis, he received over thirty-five cycles of chemotherapy, four surgeries to resect the primary tumor and area lymph nodes, radiation to his spine, brain and liver, participated in five phase I and phase II clinical trials, and received a peripheral stem cell rescue.  Harrison bravely faced each day with courage and grace and live life fearlessly, never giving in to a bad day (watch video). 

Still, Harrison's disease would not relent and on February 17, 2008, at 8 years-old, Harrison's battle with Neuroblastoma ended.  Harrison is the proud lender of his name to a foundation that his family lovingly created, and his legacy lives on, serving to make a difference in the lives of those children who share his journey. 

If you would like more information on Harrison’s journey please visit his Caringbridge Web site http://www.caringbridge.org/nc/harrison.