Race For Our Kids 2018-Meet Nathan Fisher

This summer has been an emotional one for Melissa and Chris Fisher, but they are filled with extreme gratitude for all that has come to pass since July 2017.

The proud parents of Nathan Fisher knew something was wrong when their typically energetic son, who had just turned four, was suddenly lethargic, to the point that he was just lying on the couch and uninterested in playing with his toys. Melissa and Chris took Nathan to see his pediatrician, who thought the boy had a kidney stone. An ultrasound revealed a tumor, however, and the family was immediately connected with Sinai Hospital of Baltimore.

Dr. Aziza Shad determined that Nathan had Wilms tumor, a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Nathan was lucky that the tumor was found early, as some can grow to be the size of a football. Still, he had to have his right kidney removed (Dr. Roger Voigt performed the surgery). He had to stay in the hospital for four nights, and then return for 18 weeks of chemotherapy. The treatments were completed by Dec. 20, 2017, just in time for Christmas. He has been in remission since January 2018.

Dr. Shad, Kelly Beck (with Hope for Henry), child life specialist Laura Cohen, and the entire staff at Sinai went above and beyond to make Nathan and his parents feel at ease, providing games, bubbles, toys and crafts and bringing lots of smiles to Nathan's face throughout his difficult medical treatment. Melissa says the Sinai staff members were incredibly personable and "made us feel like we were the only people they were caring for, like we were the only ones in the room." Nathan had a particularly great connection with nurse practitioner Stephanie Entrup; he looks forward to seeing her once a month when he comes to Sinai for his follow-up appointments. He gets x-rays and an ultrasound once every six months.

This past July was a much happier time for the Fisher family. They went to Disney World two days after Nathan's fifth birthday and had an incredible trip. Nathan loves everything Disney, but was particularly excited to see Donald Duck and Toy Story Land.

Nathan enjoys playing t-ball, but has to wear a kidney guard and bat left-handed. He has to play it extra safe and avoid contact sports. He also loves Imaginext playsets, setting up little villages with all of his toys, and eating pasta with the sauce on the side.

The Fisher family, proud that Nathan is a Sinai Super Star, will be out in full force-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends-at the 14th annual Race for Our Kids. They're all thankful for the care Nathan received (and continues to receive) and want to support other kids like him.