DAILY NANCY UPDATE #83

Greetings. 

This is the eighty-third in a series of DAILY NANCY UPDATES I will be posting until the amazing Nancy Neufeld Callaway is in full remission and we have kicked her leukemia on its ass. 

If you'd like to be automatically notified of updates to this blog-- just enter your email address in the window on the right beneath Nancy's picture and follow the prompts!

BREAKING NEWS

Nancy's doctor is very happy with how she handled yesterday's transplant. She's been a little nauseous today, and predictably very tired (since World War 3 is currently happening in her body on a molecular level), but that didn't keep her from having an exercise bike brought to her room for a two mile ride.

Nor did it stop her from celebrating her new birthday (at least in the leukemia free sense)!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...

ALL HAIL THE SUNSHINY SUPERWARRIOR GODDESS!

WE LOVE NANCY, and... 

ALL IS WELL!

If you'd like to send Nancy a card or some words of encouragement (no flowers, balloons, or food, please), you can reach her for the next few weeks at:

Nancy Neufeld Callaway

City of Hope Hospital

1500 E. Duarte Rd.

Helford Bldg. Rm. 6105

Duarte, CA 91010

Meal Train For The Callaways

SPECIAL UPDATE - NANCY'S TRANSPLANT

THIS IS A SPECIAL UPDATE ON NANCY'S BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT

The incredible deed is done.

At approximately 1:40pm on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, Nancy Neufeld Callaway received somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 million freshly harvested bone marrow cells from a 20 year old, anonymous Israeli male donor in a short but successful transplant at City of Hope Hospital.

Doesn't look like much, does it? Well, according to her doctors-- this magical bag of lifeblood is more than enough to get the job done. 

Including pre-medications, the entire process only took about 45 minutes from start to finish. Like most patients, Nancy could taste "garlic" as the transplant began (caused by a preservative added to the marrow) and she was a little bit nauseous for a couple of minutes. But she kept bravely breathing through the entire process-- and before we knew it-- it was over.

So now, through the absolute kindness of a stranger (whom we really hope to meet and thank in person some day), this remarkable woman has been given the best shot known to medical science at ridding her of acute lymphoblastic leukemia for the rest of her life.

Last night, while listening to a guided healing meditation, the Sunshiny Superwarrior Goddess imagined herself in this sketch, being helped back to perfect health by her new Israeli Guardian Angel.

And now, that's what all of us should visualize as well.

So what happens next?

Well, she'll be very closely monitored here at City of Hope for the next month, and treated for any signs of rejection. Then, once she's given the hopeful green light to return home, we'll have to carefully watch her there, as well. There will also be plenty of return visits to COH for all kinds of tests. 

The doctors say it's usually around 100 days after a transplant that you suddenly start to feel like your old self again. 

And then?

Then, G-d willing, the most extraordinarily brave wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend in the world will go on with her precious life and put this all behind her.  

Right now, she's taking an extremely well-deserved snooze. But stay tuned for further updates as they're available. And thanks from the bottom of our hearts for your beautiful outpouring of love, support, thoughts, and prayers on her behalf.

WE LOVE NANCY, and... 

ALL IS WELL!

If you'd like to send Nancy a card or some words of encouragement (no flowers, balloons, or food, please), you can reach her for the next few weeks at:

Nancy Neufeld Callaway

City of Hope Hospital

1500 E. Duarte Rd.

Helford Bldg. Rm. 6105

Duarte, CA 91010

Meal Train For The Callaways

DAILY NANCY UPDATE #82

Greetings. 

This is the eighty-second in a series of DAILY NANCY UPDATES I will be posting until the amazing Nancy Neufeld Callaway is in full remission and we have kicked her leukemia on its ass. 

If you'd like to be automatically notified of updates to this blog-- just enter your email address in the window on the right beneath Nancy's picture and follow the prompts!

And if you'd like to send Nancy a card or some words of encouragement (no flowers, balloons, or food, please), you can reach her for the next few weeks at:

Nancy Neufeld Callaway

City of Hope Hospital

1500 E. Duarte Rd.

Helford Bldg. Rm. 6105

Duarte, CA 91010

Meal Train For The Callaways

BREAKING NEWS

Tuesday, June 6th, 2017.  It's finally time.

That's right. On this, the sixth day of the sixth month, Nancy Neufeld Callaway will finally receive her new healthy marrow from a 20 year old, anonymous Israeli male donor that is an almost completely perfect genetic match to her own.

So what's with all the "6's?" 

Well, according to numerologists, the Number 66 just happens to be an extremely powerful number of unconditional love and healing. A divine reminder to put your faith and trust in the Universe, let go of fear and anxiety, and keep your thoughts positive.

So that's exactly what the Sunshiny Superwarrior Goddess is about to do.

She has endured so very much to get to this point. But today-- she radiates acceptance. 

• Accepting the very lifeblood of a stranger on the other side of the world. 
• Accepting the skilled and compassionate care of all the doctors and nurses at three different hospitals who have gotten her to this point. 
• And accepting the heartfelt love, support, and encouragement that all of you have offered her. 

The actual transplant process should happen sometime between 10 and 12 and won't take very long.

But in our hearts and souls, we fervently believe that its impact will be profound and lasting. Nancy's goal of permanent "mega-remission" will be successfully achieved through passion and prayer. Kindness and humility. Belief and determination. Grace and gratitude. 

Yes, the weeks ahead may be trying in all sorts of ways. But one hundred days from now, we wholeheartedly believe she will be fully healed.

So light a candle. Call on your angels. And please help us see this beautifully vibrant woman, wife, and mother all the way to wellness. 

The Sunshiny Superwarrior Goddess will not be defeated. 

WE LOVE NANCY, and... 

ALL IS WELL!

THE SUNSHINY SUPERWARRIOR GODDESS SPEAKS!

I expected worse. 

I had heard that radiation was awful, and 11 sessions of it was more than I'd bargained for. I had heard that the chemo I was getting would be brutal, too. 

But knock on wood, rub a lucky rabbit's foot, catch a glimpse of a ladybug, pick a four leaf clover, praise the Lord, and thank my lucky stars -- so far, so good. 

It ain't perfect, mind you -- but like I said, I expected worse.

Right now I'm getting pumped full of a ton of fluids, more than I've ever gotten at one time: anti-rejection drugs, anti-fungal drugs, hydration, potassium, blood products... all in preparation for the transplant in two days. That's really soon!

How am I feeling about it? 

Incredibly excited. Slightly nervous. And unbelievably grateful to have found a match. 

But as you can imagine, it's still a little daunting. 

Meanwhile, here's a fun fact. Once I've gone through the transplant process, I will no longer have female blood. Since my donor is a male, I will have male blood. If I commit a crime and leave some blood, they'll be looking for a dude. How cool is that?! 

I've also learned that many people celebrate their "new birthday" on the day they get the transplant. Until today, I've thought my new birthday was June 7th (which I liked since my real birthday falls on a 7th) but they moved me up a day, so it's actually June 6th. 

Not as poetic, but I'll take it.  And in honor of my new birthday, I'm getting a new name!  

What do you think of Nancy NEWCELL Callaway?!

It's been a long road getting here, and as much as I'd like to say I'm nearing the finish line, the next part is the probably the most challenging. But I'm ready for it! 

Once again, thanks for all your support. Mostly though, thanks to Trey for his unending patience, support and love. 

-Nancy

DAILY NANCY UPDATE #81

Greetings. 

This is the eighty-first in a series of DAILY NANCY UPDATES I will be posting until the amazing Nancy Neufeld Callaway is in full remission and we have kicked her leukemia on its ass. 

If you'd like to be automatically notified of updates to this blog-- just enter your email address in the window on the right beneath Nancy's picture and follow the prompts!

And if you'd like to send Nancy a card or some words of encouragement (no flowers, balloons, or food, please), you can reach her for the next few weeks at:

Nancy Neufeld Callaway

City of Hope Hospital

1500 E. Duarte Rd.

Helford Bldg. Rm. 6105

Duarte, CA 91010

Meal Train For The Callaways

BREAKING NEWS

See this room right here?

Yeah, that's the place where the Sunshiny Superwarrior Goddess was a complete and total badass today. Because not only did she walk a mile and a half in the morning, AND THEN have an intensive SIX HOUR chemo treatment, but get this...

SHE SLEPT THROUGH THE WHOLE DAMN THING.

That's right. None of the horrific nausea or gastrointestinal ugliness we had been warned about. 

Wanna know why? Well, I'll tell you:

Okay, it didn't actually look like that. But the INTRAVENOUS BENADRYL they gave her to preemptively combat any potential allergies to the chemo zonked her out so hard, she was down for the entire count. The woman not only snored her way through the treatment-- but every single vitals check, blood draw, IV change-- and even the very noisy lady from housekeeping.

Then, when she finally awoke around 5, we ordered her dinner, she slowly but surely perked back up-- and that, ladies and gentlemen-- was that.

So now the countdown begins.

Tonight and tomorrow she begins to receive some anti-rejection drugs. On Monday, she rests. And on Tuesday, dear friends, family, and fans of Nancy Neufeld Callaway-- IT'S TIME FOR THE BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT.

But at this moment, I couldn't be more proud of how she's handling all this, nor more thankful for all of your love and support. 

Please keep it up. She's so amazing. And we're so damn close. 

WE LOVE NANCY, and... 

ALL IS WELL!

DAILY NANCY UPDATE #80

Greetings. 

This is the eightieth in a series of DAILY NANCY UPDATES I will be posting until the amazing Nancy Neufeld Callaway is in full remission and we have kicked her leukemia on its ass. 

If you'd like to be automatically notified of updates to this blog-- just enter your email address in the window on the right beneath Nancy's picture and follow the prompts!

And if you'd like to send Nancy a card or some words of encouragement (no flowers, balloons, or food, please), you can reach her for the next few weeks at:

Nancy Neufeld Callaway

City of Hope Hospital

1500 E. Duarte Rd.

Helford Bldg. Rm. 6105

Duarte, CA 91010

BREAKING NEWS

DAY FIVE...

As of this writing, Nancy is currently a couple of hours into a marathon SIX HOUR chemo treatment which is, according to the team at City of Hope, the toughest she has had to endure. 

After beginning it all with a round of meditation (thanks Sistahs) the Sunshiny Superwarrior Goddess is resting peacefully now and I'll be right here with her for the duration. 

Any and all good thoughts, vibes, and prayers are humbly and gratefully accepted.

WE LOVE NANCY, and... 

ALL IS WELL!

DAILY NANCY UPDATE #79

SAME DAY, NEW POST.

But guys, I'm sorry... I HAVE TO SHARE THESE AMAZING PHOTOS.

When Nancy completed her last of 11 high dose radiation treatments over 4 days-- today her team in Radiology just surprised her with a medal and certificate for her accomplishment.

I'm so damn proud of her, I can't stop crying. 

And if you feel even remotely close to the same... you can post a message here, email, or text/call her to say so.

Or, if you'd like to express your pride and encouragement in a card-- (she LOVES cards!) she'll be at City of Hope for another five and a half weeks. So here's the address:

Nancy Neufeld Callaway

City of Hope Hospital

1500 E. Duarte Rd.

Helford Bldg. Rm. 6105

Duarte, CA 91010

WE LOVE NANCY, and... 

ALL IS WELL!