DAILY NANCY UPDATE #5

Greetings. 

This is the fifth 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.

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BREAKING NEWS

Fantastic news this morning from Dr. Gary Schiller, Director of Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplantation and Professor of Hematology/Oncology at UCLA.  Nancy's white blood cell count has dropped again to within normal levels, and in Dr. Schiller's words, "she had a wonderful response and everything looks very gratifying." All Hail the Sunshiny Superwarrior Goddess!

HEADLINES

Home Sweet Hospital.

Our friends Noa and Jon, together with our daughter's friend Emily, did some incredibly sweet "redecorating" of Nancy's room.

Paper banners, flowers, and wreaths... artwork from the kids... cozy blankets, teddy bears, lamps and twinkling lights. The doctors and nurses were mightily impressed, and seem to linger longer, like they actually enjoy being there. But it's Nancy who benefits the most. Considering how unrelaxing and sterile a hospital room can be-- hers has now become an oasis of comfort. Such a blessing.

TODAY'S HURDLE

She's got a slight cough and needs to stay extremely hydrated-- which is kind of a pain, because the more you drink, the more you've gotta go to the bathroom. And that's particularly challenging when you're tethered via all kinds of tubes and wires to a large metal IV stand (which Nancy has lovingly and humorously nicknamed CLARK, because he's the Man of Steel who never leaves her side). 

POSTSCRIPT

Last night after visiting Nancy, she wanted us to take a "quick stroll" with her around the leukemia ward-- basically a lap around a sealed circular hallway. In a gown and sweats, she slipped on her running shoes and a surgical mask, then rolled CLARK into the hall.

And then-- she began to speed walk.

We tried to keep up with her-- and I'll confess to swiftly becoming a nervous wreck over her frantic pace. I was worried about her tripping, getting hung up on one of the cords, or just pushing herself too hard and too fast. But Nancy ignored each and every last one of my warnings. She wanted to take a brisk walk before bed-- and by God, she was not gonna be denied.

In the end, she was fine, of course. Apparently slept like a baby, to boot. And now with her doctors' blessing, she's trying to get an exercise bike into her room. So once again, I am humbled by her extraordinary strength and determination. Watch out, cancer. She's coming for you.

WE LOVE NANCY AND WE WILL NOT BE DEFEATED.