Greetings.
This is the fifteenth 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!
BREAKING NEWS
With the initial results of yesterday's lumbar puncture looking good-- the doctors are cautiously optimistic that Nancy *may* be able to leave the hospital this weekend. That's very good news-- but also a little scary-- because it means we'll be turning the corner into a new phase of her treatment. Looking ahead, Nancy will have to keep returning to the hospital every three days for chemo and PICC line changes, etc. And depending on bone marrow/stem cell transplant prospects-- that will continue for quite some time. But we've gotten through the past month-- so we'll keep right on doing whatever it takes to get her completely cancer-free.
HEADLINES
NO KIDDING
Aside from Nancy, this whole ordeal has been hardest on our kids. But they continue to impress both of us with their maturity, kindness, patience, and love-- EVERY SINGLE DAY. Clem is back at Bates-- tackling a challenging but amazing class schedule, surrounded by supportive friends. Crockett is back to class and tearing up the 10th grade (after tearing up the local ski slopes yesterday). And Cosmo is busy being everybody's favorite 12-year-old-- just weeks away from becoming a teenager himself, not to mention a bar mitzvah. So they've all got their hands full. But their hearts are even fuller with obvious care and concern for their beautiful Mom. And we truly couldn't be more proud of each of them.
TODAY'S HURDLE
After only about three hours of sleep last night, Nancy could definitely use some rest. But all the drugs coursing through her veins, paired with the constant parade through her room of well-intentioned hospital staff, makes catching "z's" practically impossible. Your good thoughts and prayers for peaceful slumber are greatly appreciated.
POSTSCRIPT
I watched my wife get a spinal tap yesterday while I held her hand. Seeing Dr. Caspian Oliai remove three vials worth of cerebrospinal fluid from her body may haunt me for the rest of my life-- but Nancy barely even flinched. Instead, she just lay there quietly, eyes closed, breathing deep, the most powerful definition of grace and strength I've ever seen. All I wanted to do was figure out how to take all her pain, fear, and frustration away forever. But on more than one occasion during the procedure, she just looked at me with a sweet smile-- each time, erasing all the world's ugliness.
And in those moments, I'm telling you, I could literally hear the Universe whispering over and over in my ear.
WE LOVE NANCY AND WE WILL NOT BE DEFEATED.
Dear Trey,
ReplyDeleteWhen Adam told me about the blog, I was expecting a cancer fight story, but what this is is an amazing love story, filled with courage, hope, and honesty, held in love's arms. I am delighted to hear of Nancy's continued improvement. She is an inspiration!
Keeping all of you in my prayers,
Angie Luckey
You guys are amazing - and together, with love and support, I know Nancy will keep kicking Philadelphia ALL's butt. (Though the Philadelphia thing is weird: cream cheese, cheese steaks, Philadelphia Eagles, all kinds of weird associations and now Nancy the sunshiny warrior goddess (love that!). Sending you much love, prayer and healing thoughts - Marian Schloss Merritt
ReplyDeleteNancy! Ears must have been burning as I've been down in LA on business and catching up with old BHHS friends...and come to find out the Sunshiny SuperWarrior Goddess is fighting (and winning!) a battle with the arch-nemesis cancer. Keep up the good fight...would love to stop by and see you but I've been around lots of sick folks and don't want to be the one that causes masks to be worn again.
ReplyDeleteJust know that my thoughts are with you and if anyone can beat this, it's definitely you. With a support network of the best spouse on earth and super offspring there isn't anything you can't do and you don't have to do it alone.
Sending you lots of love and virtual hugs my dear friend.
Lisa Horwich
(and it's great that Lora's daughter Mara and Clemmy are hanging together at Bates - the BHHS network lives on!)