Local woman fighting to get treatment in second battle with cancer

Boston 25 News introduced you to Nicole Sorensen more than 20 years ago when she was battling cancer and wished she could go to the Super Bowl. The Make-A-Wish Foundation made that come true in 1997.

Now, Sorensen is battling cancer all over again, but she's having trouble this time getting the treatment her doctors say she needs.

Sorensen was battling bone cancer when Make-A-Wish Foundation gave her new hope, sending her to New Orleans to see the Patriots play in the 1997 Super Bowl.

"I wanted to go, I wanted to be a part of it. There was a real chance I could have died because of it. I was fully aware," said Sorensen.

The Pats lost that year, but she beat cancer - and several other bouts with it since.

But once again, she is battling cancer.

"It's a very bizarre déjà vu," said Sorensen. "I've been doing pretty well - until last year."

The family is trying to get the final approval from their Medicaid plan to send Nicole to Texas, where a Houston hospital has a stage-two experimental program that would shrink the cancer that is wrapped around her upper leg and side.

"Every day her pain gets worse, and worse, and worse as the tumor grows," said Nicole's mother LeeAnn Sorensen. "So it [the treatment] will go right to that defect, shut the cancer off and shrink it."

If Sorensen can go to Texas to get the treatment to shrink the tumor, than doctors at Mass. General Hospital will be able to do an operation.

"The longer I wait, the more complicated the surgery becomes," said Sorensen.

Mass Health does cover out-of-state medical expenses if it is determined the treatment is more readily available. The family says it has been working through the enormous red tape so Nicole can go as soon as possible and avoid losing her leg.

"Because it is a specialized hospital and it is the No. 1 cancer hospital in the world, their pay rates are a little bit more," said Sorensen.

While the family keeps pushing through the process, Nicole is hoping to see another victory over cancer.

"My wish this time is not to go to the Super Bowl. My excitement for the game is almost pushed aside while I fight for the treatment I need," said Sorensen.

The family got word late Friday afternoon that there is a verbal agreement to move ahead with the treatment, but they are waiting for the final approval.

>> If you would like to donate, click here.

Cox Media Group