At 19 years of age, Penn State swimmer, Niki Nolte is leaving cancer in her wake. But the college athlete is still working to return to the sport she loves after acute lymphoblastic leukemia — her second cancer in two years — put her college career on hold. But that doesn’t mean she’s not there for her team.
“Today, one year later, I'm waking up in Happy Valley, going to my swim team's Blue & White Meet,” she said in an inspiring post on Instagram. “I never thought I would make it back to State College this semester, but I couldn't be more grateful.”
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One year ago today I found out I had cancer again. I was with my parents in the ER at Mount Nittany. We waited in the patient room for my bloodwork results. My doctor walked in and his face went white realizing how high my white blood cell count was. That is an image I'll never forget. Seeing my parents break down in tears with me as we all knew what this meant is a moment I'll never forget. Watching one of my favorite pediatric oncologists at Lehigh Valley walk into my room at 11:50 at night in a suit and tie to talk about what was going on still gives me chills. Those moments will haunt me forever. Yet, they have made me stronger. I have learned so much from this experience, even more so the second time, and in a way I'm thankful. I have learned how truly strong I am, both physically & mentally. I have learned that whatever gets in my way in life, I can take it, because I have been through so much worse. I have learned so much about the science & medical sides of cancer that will benefit me later when going into my career. I have learned that even though I went through something horrible, so many others have it so much worse, and I must continue to count my blessings everyday. I have learned that it's ok to break down & feel all of the emotions as long as you don't stay there. I have learned that I have one of the most incredible support systems on this planet and I WOULD NOT have gotten through all of this without them. Today, one year later, I'm waking up in Happy Valley, going to my swim team's Blue & White Meet, and later seeing Jason Aldean again in concert. To think I would be here one year later from that horrible day is honestly crazy. I never thought I would make it back to State College this semester, but I couldn't be more grateful. Here's to many more years of living a happy & healthy life. â¤ï¸ #NikiStrong #2xCancerSurvivor
Niki Nolte’s Cancer Journey
As a high-school junior, Niki was diagnosed with lymphoma, according to Mcall.com, which has written extensively about her cancer journey. It explains that she underwent 18 weeks of chemotherapy and a year later, her freshman year, she still earned a spot on the Penn State women’s swim team.
But just weeks into the school year, it reports, Nolte received a second diagnosis. This time, she faced acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her treatment would involve another round of chemo followed by a bone-marrow transplant.
The transplant took place a year ago, in February 2019, using donor cells from her sister. After a grueling recovery, Nolte returned to Penn State, ready to ease back into competition.
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But a second setback, complications from the stem-cell transplant, has given her one more mountain to climb. During the fall, Nolte was diagnosed with chronic Graft vs. Host Disease.
Penn State athletics community announces fundraiser for Kutztown High School grad @niki_nolte >>> https://t.co/jz3LvfdgTO #NikiStrong @KtownCougars pic.twitter.com/AFfh6hIlM9
Reading Eagle Sports (@RE_sports) October 25, 2018
According to the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania, GVHD is a post-transplant risk that occurs when cells from the transplant donor attack the patient's body, which they consider foreign.
Despite the setback, Nolte remains upbeat. Her secret, she writes in her post: “I have learned that it's ok to break down & feel all of the emotions as long as you don't stay there.”
Teen Cancer: Caught in the Medical Middle
No one ever wants to hear the words, "you've got cancer," but if you're a teen those words can be particularly traumatic. In terms of cancer treatments, this demographic, known as AYA (adolescent and young adult) has often been referred to as a no man's land: Organizations like the American Cancer Society note that teens can be caught between seeing pediatricians who treat children and doctors who mainly see older adults.
Another issue teens with cancer face is having to become more dependent on their parents, just as they were beginning to break away.
"Being a teenager is hard enough," observes Mike Reing, MSPT, and co-founder of Advantage Physical Therapy in Falls Church, Va., who works with teens recovering from cancer treatment. "Teenagers are hardwired to try and seek independence, and then it's suddenly yanked out from underneath them. As a parent, you have to get very involved, because they are sick, but it is hard for these kids to figure out when it is safe to try and re-establish a sense of autonomy again."
On top of that, AYAs find it difficult talking to their peers about their illness, even their closest friends. Adolescents are focused on their own issues and insecurities. The empathy gene has not yet matured, and so it is almost impossible to understand what a close friend with a cancer diagnosis might be going through. As Reed has observed, a cancer diagnosis means, “you’re getting cast as different” which can strain young relationships.
The Good News
Change is coming. "20 years ago, no one was paying attention to the perils of this age group,” says Reed. “A lot of people are, in fact studying young adults and cancer.”
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