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Photo by Ashley Fraser / Postmedia

Not only do the radiation and chemotherapy take their toll physically, they’re also difficult mentally. Nicholle said she wants those who are are battling cancer to know that they’re not alone and said she wants to pass along her experience because she feels that she can be a positive influence.

She never doubted that she would get through this, and that’s what she wants people to know.

“You have to put your mind there,” Nicholle said.

This battle is as difficult mentally as it is physically.

“They’re two separate things, but they’re two hard things,” Nicholle added. “Physically, some days you’re drained and you can’t get out of bed and it takes all your energy to even walk to the bathroom.

“Mentally, you have to tell yourself to surround yourself with positivity, and you have to tell yourself you can do it.”

She gives plenty of credit to husband Craig for his support through all of this and especially when he took a two-month leave of absence from the Senators to help her through treatment in New York.

A mother of two boys — Levi and Jake — she felt she had to be strong for them.

“I look at them and they drive me every day saying, ‘Nicholle you’re going to be fine and they push me.'”

She went to the NHL’s head office in July to speak to league officials about how to raise money for the fight against cancer. They talked about several areas where they could lend a hand and the talk evolved into Nicholle becoming the Hockey Fights Cancer ambassador.