Little Nala’s Cancer Fight: Support When It’s Needed Most

Hi all, a wee update on our darling Nala.

After surgery we had nearly three weeks at home to recharge. Between clinic visits and tests, Nala got to just be a kid: a fairies and pirates festival, lighting the Sky Tower gold, playcentre, giggly chases with Soraia, pancakes, and screaming “Up the Wahs” out the car window on the way to the Warriors’ last game!

The big news: her oncologist confirmed a “complete response” to induction. No visible tumour, no disease on the MIBG scan or in her bone marrow, and normal urine markers. That puts her in the top 20% globally, a strong predictor of long-term survival. Huge hope! The cost is some high-frequency hearing loss from chemo, which may need managing at school.

We’re now 2.5 weeks into the first of two transplant cycles: intense chemo, then her own stem cells returned. It’s been brutal, with mucositis (sore mouth, tummy and bottom, constant phlegm), a rash, and she’s very knocked around. The team are managing her pain and nausea well. We’re in isolation, and it’s tough on us too. But like the long wavy grass in We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, we can’t go over or under it. We have to go through it.

All going well, we’re out in 1.5 weeks, then four weeks off before cycle two, ending just before Christmas: the summit of the hardest stage.

She still springs back at times, hiding under the bed, giving nurses spicy directions, and doing song and dance shows for staff.

Thanks for all your good vibes and support!

Steve and Mil