When cancer strikes, life changes. You have to learn to live with a “new normal”… cancer’s new normal.

I get asked pretty regularly, "Do you ever feel like all of this is just not fair?". Mostly... no. I feel "changed", but not necessarily for the worse. I appreciate more of the little things that I used overlook in my busy day to day life. More importantly, I feel that I've been dealt an opportunity to better understand research and the complexities of cancers that go "unseen" by most. I'd like to help people understand how important science and research are, how "cancer" is NOT one disease, but how we can have similarities in our journeys, and how sometimes... good can arise from the bad.

As cancer patients and caregivers, you'll hear and read plenty of negative things. Sometimes the negativity is in the form of forced positivity! You don't have to be toxically positive. Cancer sucks. But it does help to see, hear, and understand, that people do make it through the rollercoaster ride. Some days you'll have to work harder than others to see the sunshine through the clouds, or find the good intent in a seemingly gruff well wish... but it's there. When life is upended, looking at it through new lenses... through cancer's new normal... you just might find, that you've got a lot more great little moments of joy than you used to see.

Looking for more info?

Whether you are seeking a place to learn more about your diagnosis, a place to find a comforting chat forum, or the latest in immunotherapy or medical news... you'll find a few sites here to seek helpful information and general overviews of the latest treatments, research and clinical trials.

Helpful Links

Niki’s Story

Hi! I’m Niki. I worked many years in radio as a morning dj. Along with regular fits of laughter, what I loved most about the job was the opportunity to meet so many people, and hopefully, impact lives in a positive way. As

Read more

Healthy Living

A cancer diagnosis is incredibly stressful for patients and caregivers alike. You know what stress is horrible for? Your immune system. You know what makes cancer treatments more difficult? A weakened immune system. As patients we want to remain as

Read more

  • This guy… slogging his way across the vast cement space. Explorer on a journey to see what’s on the other side? Lost? And another thing… is he a slug, or a homeless snail? Perhaps in search of a new shell to warm himself? I need answers to these important life questions.
  • Dude… you are a QUAIL, not a rooster. Yes, the sun is up. You can stop your squawking and come down now. 🙄 #quail #confused #notarooster #sunrise #nature
  • **RECYCLED POST** …. A wee bit over a decade since diagnosis… still here and clear. Don’t learn the hard way like I did. Protect the skin you’re in!!! —— May is MELANOMA (and skin cancer) AWARENESS Month... so be aware. This is all from melanoma (yes, the “skin” cancer). Check your skin. Watch it for changes. Point them out to your doctors. You know every square inch of you better than anyone else. USE YOUR SUNSCREEN! I didn’t think it could ever happen to me either... so stop telling yourself that. Big huge gigantic THANK YOU to researchers, doctors, nurses, schedulers, caretakers, fundraisers..... anyone and everyone who puts themselves in a position to have made a difference in patient lives! 😘💪🏻🖤 Two brain surgeries, ten rounds of gamma knife brain radiation, lung lobe removed, three years and three different immunotherapy drugs, plus countless lumps, bumps, and spots cut off. #thankful #grateful  #uscbtc #mydocsrock #usckeck #uscnorris #uscneurosurgery #gammaknife #thoracicsurgery #melanomaawareness #sunscreenalways #brainmets #melanomamonday #gograyinmayforbraintumors #blackribbonarmy #immunotherapy
  • Has it really been 10 years? Feels like a lifetime ago... and it feels like yesterday. A decade ago today, I was rolled into the OR for a new hole in the head. The launch of a long but successful road. #brainsurgerysurvivor #uscbtc  Recovery hospital room 707... which flipped on its head, reads an apropos LOL. 😂😎 #LOL #tumorhumor 🧠
  • Yay… diagnosis and repair on our dishwasher results in a success. Thank you internet! 😂 More specifically… thanks to “Tundra, Tools, and Tech” over there on the yous-toobes. $30 part and 30 minutes of my time. 🤓 #handywoman #plumbercrack

Side note to y’all… don’t ever let a piece of dental floss sneak into your dishwasher on a plate. 😬🫣🤦🏼‍♀️ We’re always so careful to rinse before loading. I really don’t know how that determined string strand managed to hold on.…. and just where did it think it was going to end up? #escapefromalcatraz 🧐😝
  • Spring has officially sprung. Mr Buns is left unimpressed and chilly. #bunnyball 😍 #springshowers
  • If your skies are clear… go look up. Smooching planets 😘 #naturesbeauty #planets #clearskies
  • I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
  • “Misty taste of moonshine… teardrops in my eyes… “ Yes, I do sing out loud when I run. 🤷🏼‍♀️😬 #70son7 #7miles  Couldn’t get through the “lake crossing” of the flooded path today. Yeeks. Need a kayak for this one. 😝
This guy… slogging his way across the vast cement space. Explorer on a journey to see what’s on the other side? Lost? And another thing… is he a slug, or a homeless snail? Perhaps in search of a new shell to warm himself? I need answers to these important life questions.
This guy… slogging his way across the vast cement space. Explorer on a journey to see what’s on the other side? Lost? And another thing… is he a slug, or a homeless snail? Perhaps in search of a new shell to warm himself? I need answers to these important life questions.
This guy… slogging his way across the vast cement space. Explorer on a journey to see what’s on the other side? Lost? And another thing… is he a slug, or a homeless snail? Perhaps in search of a new shell to warm himself? I need answers to these important life questions.
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Dude… you are a QUAIL, not a rooster. Yes, the sun is up. You can stop your squawking and come down now. 🙄 #quail #confused #notarooster #sunrise #nature
Dude… you are a QUAIL, not a rooster. Yes, the sun is up. You can stop your squawking and come down now. 🙄 #quail #confused #notarooster #sunrise #nature
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
**RECYCLED POST** …. A wee bit over a decade since diagnosis… still here and clear. Don’t learn the hard way like I did. Protect the skin you’re in!!! —— May is MELANOMA (and skin cancer) AWARENESS Month... so be aware. This is all from melanoma (yes, the “skin” cancer). Check your skin. Watch it for changes. Point them out to your doctors. You know every square inch of you better than anyone else. USE YOUR SUNSCREEN! I didn’t think it could ever happen to me either... so stop telling yourself that. Big huge gigantic THANK YOU to researchers, doctors, nurses, schedulers, caretakers, fundraisers..... anyone and everyone who puts themselves in a position to have made a difference in patient lives! 😘💪🏻🖤 Two brain surgeries, ten rounds of gamma knife brain radiation, lung lobe removed, three years and three different immunotherapy drugs, plus countless lumps, bumps, and spots cut off. #thankful #grateful  #uscbtc #mydocsrock #usckeck #uscnorris #uscneurosurgery #gammaknife #thoracicsurgery #melanomaawareness #sunscreenalways #brainmets #melanomamonday #gograyinmayforbraintumors #blackribbonarmy #immunotherapy
**RECYCLED POST** …. A wee bit over a decade since diagnosis… still here and clear. Don’t learn the hard way like I did. Protect the skin you’re in!!! —— May is MELANOMA (and skin cancer) AWARENESS Month... so be aware. This is all from melanoma (yes, the “skin” cancer). Check your skin. Watch it for changes. Point them out to your doctors. You know every square inch of you better than anyone else. USE YOUR SUNSCREEN! I didn’t think it could ever happen to me either... so stop telling yourself that. Big huge gigantic THANK YOU to researchers, doctors, nurses, schedulers, caretakers, fundraisers..... anyone and everyone who puts themselves in a position to have made a difference in patient lives! 😘💪🏻🖤 Two brain surgeries, ten rounds of gamma knife brain radiation, lung lobe removed, three years and three different immunotherapy drugs, plus countless lumps, bumps, and spots cut off. #thankful #grateful  #uscbtc #mydocsrock #usckeck #uscnorris #uscneurosurgery #gammaknife #thoracicsurgery #melanomaawareness #sunscreenalways #brainmets #melanomamonday #gograyinmayforbraintumors #blackribbonarmy #immunotherapy
**RECYCLED POST** …. A wee bit over a decade since diagnosis… still here and clear. Don’t learn the hard way like I did. Protect the skin you’re in!!! —— May is MELANOMA (and skin cancer) AWARENESS Month... so be aware. This is all from melanoma (yes, the “skin” cancer). Check your skin. Watch it for changes. Point them out to your doctors. You know every square inch of you better than anyone else. USE YOUR SUNSCREEN! I didn’t think it could ever happen to me either... so stop telling yourself that. Big huge gigantic THANK YOU to researchers, doctors, nurses, schedulers, caretakers, fundraisers..... anyone and everyone who puts themselves in a position to have made a difference in patient lives! 😘💪🏻🖤 Two brain surgeries, ten rounds of gamma knife brain radiation, lung lobe removed, three years and three different immunotherapy drugs, plus countless lumps, bumps, and spots cut off. #thankful #grateful  #uscbtc #mydocsrock #usckeck #uscnorris #uscneurosurgery #gammaknife #thoracicsurgery #melanomaawareness #sunscreenalways #brainmets #melanomamonday #gograyinmayforbraintumors #blackribbonarmy #immunotherapy
**RECYCLED POST** …. A wee bit over a decade since diagnosis… still here and clear. Don’t learn the hard way like I did. Protect the skin you’re in!!! —— May is MELANOMA (and skin cancer) AWARENESS Month... so be aware. This is all from melanoma (yes, the “skin” cancer). Check your skin. Watch it for changes. Point them out to your doctors. You know every square inch of you better than anyone else. USE YOUR SUNSCREEN! I didn’t think it could ever happen to me either... so stop telling yourself that. Big huge gigantic THANK YOU to researchers, doctors, nurses, schedulers, caretakers, fundraisers..... anyone and everyone who puts themselves in a position to have made a difference in patient lives! 😘💪🏻🖤 Two brain surgeries, ten rounds of gamma knife brain radiation, lung lobe removed, three years and three different immunotherapy drugs, plus countless lumps, bumps, and spots cut off. #thankful #grateful #uscbtc #mydocsrock #usckeck #uscnorris #uscneurosurgery #gammaknife #thoracicsurgery #melanomaawareness #sunscreenalways #brainmets #melanomamonday #gograyinmayforbraintumors #blackribbonarmy #immunotherapy
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Has it really been 10 years? Feels like a lifetime ago... and it feels like yesterday. A decade ago today, I was rolled into the OR for a new hole in the head. The launch of a long but successful road. #brainsurgerysurvivor #uscbtc  Recovery hospital room 707... which flipped on its head, reads an apropos LOL. 😂😎 #LOL #tumorhumor 🧠
Has it really been 10 years? Feels like a lifetime ago... and it feels like yesterday. A decade ago today, I was rolled into the OR for a new hole in the head. The launch of a long but successful road. #brainsurgerysurvivor #uscbtc  Recovery hospital room 707... which flipped on its head, reads an apropos LOL. 😂😎 #LOL #tumorhumor 🧠
Has it really been 10 years? Feels like a lifetime ago... and it feels like yesterday. A decade ago today, I was rolled into the OR for a new hole in the head. The launch of a long but successful road. #brainsurgerysurvivor #uscbtc  Recovery hospital room 707... which flipped on its head, reads an apropos LOL. 😂😎 #LOL #tumorhumor 🧠
Has it really been 10 years? Feels like a lifetime ago... and it feels like yesterday. A decade ago today, I was rolled into the OR for a new hole in the head. The launch of a long but successful road. #brainsurgerysurvivor #uscbtc  Recovery hospital room 707... which flipped on its head, reads an apropos LOL. 😂😎 #LOL #tumorhumor 🧠
Has it really been 10 years? Feels like a lifetime ago... and it feels like yesterday. A decade ago today, I was rolled into the OR for a new hole in the head. The launch of a long but successful road. #brainsurgerysurvivor #uscbtc  Recovery hospital room 707... which flipped on its head, reads an apropos LOL. 😂😎 #LOL #tumorhumor 🧠
Has it really been 10 years? Feels like a lifetime ago... and it feels like yesterday. A decade ago today, I was rolled into the OR for a new hole in the head. The launch of a long but successful road. #brainsurgerysurvivor #uscbtc Recovery hospital room 707... which flipped on its head, reads an apropos LOL. 😂😎 #LOL #tumorhumor 🧠
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Yay… diagnosis and repair on our dishwasher results in a success. Thank you internet! 😂 More specifically… thanks to “Tundra, Tools, and Tech” over there on the yous-toobes. $30 part and 30 minutes of my time. 🤓 #handywoman #plumbercrack

Side note to y’all… don’t ever let a piece of dental floss sneak into your dishwasher on a plate. 😬🫣🤦🏼‍♀️ We’re always so careful to rinse before loading. I really don’t know how that determined string strand managed to hold on.…. and just where did it think it was going to end up? #escapefromalcatraz 🧐😝
Yay… diagnosis and repair on our dishwasher results in a success. Thank you internet! 😂 More specifically… thanks to “Tundra, Tools, and Tech” over there on the yous-toobes. $30 part and 30 minutes of my time. 🤓 #handywoman #plumbercrack

Side note to y’all… don’t ever let a piece of dental floss sneak into your dishwasher on a plate. 😬🫣🤦🏼‍♀️ We’re always so careful to rinse before loading. I really don’t know how that determined string strand managed to hold on.…. and just where did it think it was going to end up? #escapefromalcatraz 🧐😝
Yay… diagnosis and repair on our dishwasher results in a success. Thank you internet! 😂 More specifically… thanks to “Tundra, Tools, and Tech” over there on the yous-toobes. $30 part and 30 minutes of my time. 🤓 #handywoman #plumbercrack

Side note to y’all… don’t ever let a piece of dental floss sneak into your dishwasher on a plate. 😬🫣🤦🏼‍♀️ We’re always so careful to rinse before loading. I really don’t know how that determined string strand managed to hold on.…. and just where did it think it was going to end up? #escapefromalcatraz 🧐😝
Yay… diagnosis and repair on our dishwasher results in a success. Thank you internet! 😂 More specifically… thanks to “Tundra, Tools, and Tech” over there on the yous-toobes. $30 part and 30 minutes of my time. 🤓 #handywoman #plumbercrack Side note to y’all… don’t ever let a piece of dental floss sneak into your dishwasher on a plate. 😬🫣🤦🏼‍♀️ We’re always so careful to rinse before loading. I really don’t know how that determined string strand managed to hold on.…. and just where did it think it was going to end up? #escapefromalcatraz 🧐😝
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Spring has officially sprung. Mr Buns is left unimpressed and chilly. #bunnyball 😍 #springshowers
Spring has officially sprung. Mr Buns is left unimpressed and chilly. #bunnyball 😍 #springshowers
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
If your skies are clear… go look up. Smooching planets 😘 #naturesbeauty #planets #clearskies
If your skies are clear… go look up. Smooching planets 😘 #naturesbeauty #planets #clearskies
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun  #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
I’m not sayin everyone should try a chicken fried hamburger as pre-race fuel… buuuuuut… yesterday’s lunch did seem to be “right” for my miles today! 😬😳🤷🏼‍♀️ That said… the porto-potties being emptied as I tried to run uphill toward the end of mile 9… 🤮 I had to walk it out… blow my nose… I just couldn’t inhale anymore. 🫢😳 #100dollarchickenfriedhamburger 🤣 #family #flyingfun #runfun #cancerthriver #melanoma
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
“Misty taste of moonshine… teardrops in my eyes… “ Yes, I do sing out loud when I run. 🤷🏼‍♀️😬 #70son7 #7miles  Couldn’t get through the “lake crossing” of the flooded path today. Yeeks. Need a kayak for this one. 😝
“Misty taste of moonshine… teardrops in my eyes… “ Yes, I do sing out loud when I run. 🤷🏼‍♀️😬 #70son7 #7miles  Couldn’t get through the “lake crossing” of the flooded path today. Yeeks. Need a kayak for this one. 😝
“Misty taste of moonshine… teardrops in my eyes… “ Yes, I do sing out loud when I run. 🤷🏼‍♀️😬 #70son7 #7miles  Couldn’t get through the “lake crossing” of the flooded path today. Yeeks. Need a kayak for this one. 😝
“Misty taste of moonshine… teardrops in my eyes… “ Yes, I do sing out loud when I run. 🤷🏼‍♀️😬 #70son7 #7miles  Couldn’t get through the “lake crossing” of the flooded path today. Yeeks. Need a kayak for this one. 😝
“Misty taste of moonshine… teardrops in my eyes… “ Yes, I do sing out loud when I run. 🤷🏼‍♀️😬 #70son7 #7miles  Couldn’t get through the “lake crossing” of the flooded path today. Yeeks. Need a kayak for this one. 😝
“Misty taste of moonshine… teardrops in my eyes… “ Yes, I do sing out loud when I run. 🤷🏼‍♀️😬 #70son7 #7miles Couldn’t get through the “lake crossing” of the flooded path today. Yeeks. Need a kayak for this one. 😝
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

Niki News Update…

Closing out the year with a short and sweet update. Really, if there is no “Niki News”, it’s because things are going well enough for me to be busy with “normal people” life. For the quick snapshot, you can check

Read more
x Logo: Shield Security
This Site Is Protected By
Shield Security