Coeur d'Alene man fights rare form of cancer

A Coeur d’Alene man is fighting a rare form of cancer. 

Nick Sawyers, 28, was diagnosed with a peripheral nerve sheath tumor, said his grandmother, Jan Sharon. It began with a pain in his right foreman in 2023, where a tumor was found by doctors and removed, but it grew back. More surgery required reconstruction of his arm. 

The Post Falls High School graduate later had back pain and went to doctors, who found the cancer had metastasized and was growing near his spine. A few weeks ago, he was flown to Baltimore and underwent surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital to remove a large mass. 

“Surgery was a success,” wrote his mom, Pam Sawyers-Brahler. “Doctors got the aggressive tumor out and fixed his back that the tumor broke and many other things! I am so grateful to God for guiding their hands and minds.” 

Sharon said her grandson still faces a difficult road. He has lost a lot of weight and will undergo chemotherapy and radiation at Kootenai Health. He is expected to return home next week.

“He goes in and out of hope,” she said. 

Sawyers, a mechanic, was healthy and positive before he was diagnosed with the aggressive form of cancer, Sharon said. 

She said she has done her best to stay strong for him. 

“I have faith,” Sharon said. “People are praying all over.” 

A GoFundMe account for Sawyers has raised nearly $5,000 toward its goal of $20,000 to help with medical expenses.