This is the one hundred and thirty-fourth in a series of DAILY NANCY UPDATES I have posted-- now celebrating the fact that even though her post bone marrow transplant and brain seizure recovery continues... the amazing Nancy Neufeld Callaway is in full remission and has kicked her leukemia on its ass.
I know it's been awhile since I updated this blog. Mostly because we're trying as hard as we can to move on with our post leukemia lives.
But truth be told, the Sunshiny Superwarrior Goddess has been struggling a bit of late.
You see, after you get a bone marrow transplant (even almost two years later!)-- your body can continue to fight those new cells in all kinds of ways. And one of the most common reactions is something called Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). GVHD is basically a condition in which the donor transplant's immune cells attack the recipient's tissues. In other words, Nancy's brave Israeli soldier cells have kinda been beating up on her a bit.
And while GVHD takes many forms-- in Nancy's case, it's been wreaking a little havoc with her eyes.
They burn. They sting. They're red. They're very sensitive to light. And her eyesight is often impacted. In short the past eight months haven't always been fun.
But as I watched her check into yet another ophthalmology appointment with yet another specialist today-- I couldn't help being struck once more by just how strong she is. And then as I watched the doctor do spine-tingling things to her eyeballs-- I was blown away by her bravery.
For one thing, they inserted punctal plugs into two of her tear ducts in the hopes of slowing down some of the excess moisture her eyes are generating.
And along with taking all kinds of eye drops-- including a custom serum created with plasma from her own blood-- Nancy's also wearing sunglasses day and night. In other words, she looks like a rock star. Which I suppose is only appropriate-- since SHE IS A ROCK STAR.
Anyway-- all the pain and discomfort have been a tad discouraging for her. So the next time you see or speak to her-- a little extra love probably wouldn't hurt.
Meanwhile, just know this. In spite of everything she's gone through-- she remains a true vision of courage and grace.
WE LOVE NANCY, and...
ALL IS WELL!
If you'd like to register for the International Bone Marrow Donor Bank, here's a link. You could be someone's cure. You could literally save a life.
If you'd like to donate to City of Hope and help them continue their tireless efforts and research to stop cancer, there's a link for that as well.
City of Hope Online Donation
City of Hope Online Donation
And 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, click SUBMIT, and follow the prompts!
