Today, August 2, is Nova's 14th birthday.

Birthdays are usually filled with balloons, laughter, cake, and wishes for the future. As a mother, I always imagined celebrating this day surrounded by family and friends, watching my daughter smile.

Instead, this birthday is another reminder of the journey she has endured for nearly two years.

What began as a simple pain in Nova's leg in 2024 changed our lives forever. She was diagnosed with leukemia (blood cancer), and since that day, every part of our lives has revolved around helping our daughter survive.

For the past 22 months, Nova has faced more pain than most people experience in a lifetime.

She has endured intensive chemotherapy, blood and platelet transfusions, severe infections, pancreatitis, enterocolitis, fungal lung infections, COVID-19, neuropathy, liver complications, and months of hospitalizations. There were days when she was too weak to eat, stand, or even speak comfortably. She survived on intravenous nutrition while her incredible medical team fought alongside her every step of the way.

As her mother, there were countless nights when I sat beside her hospital bed praying she would simply make it through until morning. Watching your child cry in pain, knowing you cannot take that pain away, is something no parent should ever experience.

Just when we believed we were moving toward a brighter chapter, another devastating challenge arrived.

During her maintenance treatment, Nova developed severe infections in both her chest Medi-Port and her left leg. Within two days, she underwent two major surgeries—first to remove her infected Medi-Port, and then emergency surgery on her left leg to remove infected tissue.

Nova has now been transferred to a rehabilitation hospital, where she is continuing her recovery after her surgeries. Every day, she works with physical and occupational therapists, taking painful but determined steps toward standing and walking independently again. What many of us take for granted—standing up, walking across a room, climbing a few steps—has become one of her biggest goals.

This journey has changed our entire family.

For nearly two years, our home has become hospital rooms, rehabilitation centers, and clinic visits. Living in the New York/New Jersey area for long-term treatment has created overwhelming financial challenges. While many medical expenses are covered, the ongoing costs of housing close to the hospital, transportation, food, daily necessities, rehabilitation, and the countless unexpected expenses of long-term cancer treatment continue to place an enormous burden on our family.

Today, on Nova's birthday, I have only one wish.

I don't wish for presents or celebrations.

I wish for my daughter to return to school, play and laugh with her friends, celebrate festivals with our family, and enjoy the childhood that cancer has taken from her.

Most of all, I wish for the day when her doctors tell us she is healthy and cancer-free.

To everyone who has supported Nova through your donations, prayers, messages, visits, and by sharing her story—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness has carried us through our darkest days and reminded us that we are never alone.

If you are able, please consider making a donation or sharing Nova's story with your family, friends, or community. Every act of generosity, no matter how small, helps us continue this journey and brings us one step closer to the future we dream of for our daughter.

Happy 14th Birthday, my beautiful Nova.

You have taught us what true courage looks like. You continue to inspire everyone who meets you with your strength, your kindness, and your beautiful smile.

I promise you, my precious daughter, that I will hold your hand through every treatment, every rehabilitation session, every tear, every victory, and every step you take until the day you can run freely again.

That will be the greatest birthday gift any mother could ever receive.

With love and endless gratitude,

Indira Shrestha

Nova's Mom ❤️