Hello, my name is Nikolas Davison. I am 13 years old, turning14 in July, and have been battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for three-and-a-half years. On November 7, 2016 I was misdiagnosed with appendicitis and was taken to the hospital by my father. They took my blood and ran tests. This was a painful thing to go through and I was very scared. After more tests, they knew that I had cancer. I was shocked, scared and even horrified. I never thought in a million years that I would get cancer.
The hospital I was at was not equipped with the right medical equipment to treat me. I was transported by ambulance to Summerlin Hospital. This is when my parents and I really got to know my pediatric oncologist, Dr. Rashid. At Summerlin, I met so many wonderful nurses who became part of my cancer journey and my family. They cared for me, helped me and did everything to keep me happy. My father was by my side for every step of the journey, through the pain and hardship and through the happiness and joy when I got spoiled by the staff. I stayed in the hospital for four months. My mom visited me every day and my siblings came when they could even though they were in school.
During my stay in the hospital I really found my love for first person shooter games such as Calling Duty. The hospital can be tedious and boring, especially when your confined to a bed, as I was. I ended up having seizures and taking a few falls in my room due to infections and medications side effects so I was not allowed out of bed for quite a while. Playing Xbox with my Dad helped to pass the time. I think I played every game the hospital had. My favorite though was always the Call of Duty series that we still play at home, even now.
After I got out of the hospital it was a little hard adjusting. It was normal for me to stay in bed all day in the hospital but now I had to get up and get moving. But, after a while I got used to it. Xbox helped me gain some of my strength back as I played Kinect sports with my siblings and yes I even played Just Dance. It is a great way to connect with my siblings and build strength in my arms and legs. I have met so many cancer warriors over the years and so many great people over the course of my cancer journey.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has helped so many blood cancer patients and has helped my family through the Susan Lang Program and the LLS Southern Nevada Chapter has helped us to connect with other warriors like me and given me so many opportunities to represent for blood cancer patients! Their breakthrough technologies and medications for blood cancer patients is revolutionary in this time of need. I am proud to be a member of SNVLLS they have become like family to us.