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9-year-old athlete battling biggest opponent yet — cancer

Morgan Elementary School fourth-grader Nik Scheffler, 9, sits with his parents, Andy and Janie, at their residence on Friday, June 26.

Staff photo Pat Auckerman Morgan Elementary School fourth-grader Nik Scheffler, 9, sits with his parents, Andy and Janie, at their residence on Friday, June 26.

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By Jay Morrison, Staff Writer Updated 6:48 AM Tuesday, June 30, 2009

ROSS TWP. — Nik Scheffler has taken down some mighty big hitters during his brief career as a pitcher in the Morgan Ross Athletic Association.

Now, the 9-year-old is going after his biggest opponent yet — brain cancer.

“I’m on the disabled list,” Nik said with a chuckle that’s both innocent and defiant. “But they’re keeping my seat warm.”

They’re keeping some hearts warm as well with a seasonlong show of support that will culminate Aug. 29 when the team parents put on a “Strike Out Brain Cancer” fundraising benefit at the Pier 27 Beer Garden and Grill in Ross Twp.

“It’s a very family-oriented team with great parents,” said Andy Scheffler, Nik’s dad. “They were sending cards and keeping in touch with us since December, even before we got into baseball season. It’s meant a lot to us.”

A fourth-grader at Morgan Elementary, Nik started showing signs that something was wrong in November when he was unusually short of breath while playing soccer. He also had frequent  stomachaches and nausea, prompting several trips to the doctor.

But each time they were told it was just viral.

Then on Dec. 8, while resting on the couch, Nik told his mom, Janie, he couldn’t control what his right arm was doing. The arm was moving by itself, and there were facial contortions as well.

“Needless to say, we were really worried and called 911,” Janie recalled. “A couple hours later they came in and told us they found an abnormal mass in his brain.”

It turned out to be a racquetball-sized tumor at the base of his brain, and by 7 a.m. the next day, Nik was in surgery.

“When he woke up, he asked if they found out what was wrong with him,” Janie said. “Then he didn’t talk again for three weeks.”

Nik spent the next 15 weeks — including Christmas — in the hospital, re-learning basic skills such as walking and talking.

As motivation to get better, Andy and Janie kept showing Nik pictures of his Christmas presents to let him know what was waiting for him at home.

Finally, on Feb. 10, he got to rip into them.

In the months since, Nik has stayed strong and brave in the face of frequent chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

When asked if he’s made friends with the doctors and nurses, he said, “They all know me, but I wouldn’t call them my friends.”

Which is OK, because Nik has plenty of friends, many he doesn’t even know yet.

But he’ll get to meet all of them on Aug. 29.

And, more importantly, they’ll get to meet the special little inspiration that is Nik Scheffler.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.

Boy battling brain cancer

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I will be praying for these two boys. I can imagine what these 9 yr.-olds are going through.
Back in 1990, I found out that I had a tumor on the brain and had surgery in January of 1991. My Church was praying for me and I kenw that God was going to the operating room with me and He sure did! I had surgery on Wednesday and got to go home on the following Monday. By the way, the tumor was benign. God is good. He will see them through these trying times. Trust in the Lord.

Mary
10:42 PM, 6/30/2009

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We also know the WSLL player. He is a dear friend of my son. It makes this hit home for us as well. We will definately be praying for both of these boys and their family members. We will do our best to get out to this benefit for Nik. Stay strong and know that you have a lot of support.

Vondy
9:39 AM, 6/30/2009

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I am sorry to hear about what you are going through. It is times like these that brings friends and families together to support everyone around them. Stay strong Nik, you will do fine, and I hope everyone can come and support this battle on August 29!

J.Merry
3:24 AM, 6/30/2009

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This is very sad, considering the news one of the young men on my sons All Star team received this week. His brother who is also 9 was just diagnosed with cancer as well. I will keep him and this young man in my prayers.

bass*
2:09 AM, 6/30/2009

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