quote:

Originally posted by PaulaKevin:
March 12, 2007 at 07:43 PM EDT
THE CENTER OF GRAVITY OF THIS WHOLE SITUATION

As a military strategist and analyst I spend a lot of time teaching and studying the operational art of warfare and tend to look at things systemically through a focused lens. I am constantly searching for the centers of gravity of a situation – the critical points where victory lies - along with their strengths and weaknesses. As you all are praying for us from around the globe, I thought it best to share with you the “big picture” as we understand it.

PRAY:
First, we must pray that Hannah’s body will go into complete remission. The chemo-therapy over these next three months is designed to bring and keep her leukemia cells (Blast cells) below 5% of her total cell count and allow Hannah’s normal white cells to grow out of her bone marrow. If we can’t achieve this, we may never get to the bone marrow transplant…because the transplant wouldn’t work. Hannah has made it through the first part of this major hurdle. Her Leukemia cells are less than 5% of the total cells. Thank you Jesus! Now the Leukemia cells have to remain less than 5% and the normal cells must begin to reproduce: no increase in good cells - no transplant. No transplant and she’s not likely to be cured from the Leukemia.

Second, we must pray that Hannah will stay healthy enough to continue chemo-therapy without interruption. Hannah’s type of leukemia is hard to eradicate and requires a maximum effort up front to try to bring the blast cell count to below 5% of her total cell count and keep it there. Any interruption due to infection, at minimum, is a set back and allows the blast cells a chance to recover and adapt to our treatment strategy; and of course could be deadly.

Third, we must pray that we find a donor that will closely match Hannah’s HLA typing. Without the donor there can be no transplant, without the transplant, as we noted above, there is little chance for a cure.

Fourth, we must pray that the transplant tentatively scheduled for sometime in June will take place without too many complications. The first fourteen to twenty-one days after the new bone marrow is introduced is the most critical time. Everyone’s beloved Hannah will be at her weakest and therefore, her most vulnerable. As the battle takes place in her body between the near lethal doses of chemo and radiation she will be given, the leukemia, and the transplanted bone marrow, she must over come them all and their related potential negative side effects.

Your constant prayers regarding these four major objectives are much appreciated. There will be many little skirmishes a long the way in which we will need prayer for, but these four as we know them, are the critical focus of our efforts. Please don’t forget God’s little girl in the months ahead as she continues to bring us all closer together and us closer to Him. For uniting us is one of the blessings that is intended to come from such a tribulation.

God be with you all,
Tom

*

TWO-YEAR-OLD Hannah Rumping, daughter of Marine Tom Rumping, NEEDS A BONE MARROW DONOR!!!!! She is in Cincinnati Children's.

Specifically she needs a donor whose blood has an ASIAN/MINORITY component! (Note: I do not believe I have a minority component, but will be tested anyway, because you never really know if you might be a match unless you get tested...)

If you are a minority, testing should be free.

If you live in the Cincinnati area, this is the place to go:
Community Blood Center -West Chester
8731 Union Centre Blvd.
West Chester, OH 45069
(513)777-4428

Otherwise, here's some guidelines, according to Hannah's mother Mei Ling:

"BONE MARROW TESTING
Thanks again to all of you who have expressed interest in either getting tested, or for getting the word out, regarding our need for a bone marrow donor. We are sorry if the process has been frustrating and/or confusing for some of you. Hopefully the following information will clear things up.

First, when calling the 800-MARROW2 (800-627-7692) number, DO NOT say that you want to get tested for “Hannah Rumping.” The National Donor Registry does not do individual testing. Individual testing because it is very costly, requires paperwork from our doctor(s), and would take several weeks. By joining the National Donor Registry, your information will get put into the National Registry immediately and our search coordinator here at Children's receives updates daily of all new registrants that potentially match Hannah. We only asked that you get a copy of your results to help identify you and speed up the process, but it seems that is not really necessary. By joining the National Registry you are saying you would be willing to help anyone, but you would always have the option of declining if they did contact you regarding donation.

Therefore, if you are willing to get tested or are telling others to get tested, please remind them to not say that they are getting tested for Hannah. If you/they do, the National Donor Registry will try to send them elsewhere and will give them incorrect information.

Remember, for more information on bone marrow testing, donation, and transplant, visit www.marrow.org. You must be over 18 to be tested and registered. I hope this clears up any confusion.

God be with you,
Mei Ling"



Thanks,
PAULAKEVIN

quote:

Originally posted by PaulaKevin:
TWO-YEAR-OLD Hannah Rumping, daughter of Marine Tom Rumping, NEEDS A BONE MARROW DONOR!!!!! She is in Cincinnati Children's.

Specifically she needs a donor whose blood has an ASIAN/MINORITY component! (Note: I do not believe I have a minority component, but will be tested anyway, because you never really know if you might be a match unless you get tested...)

If you are a minority, testing should be free.

If you live in the Cincinnati area, this is the place to go:
Community Blood Center -West Chester
8731 Union Centre Blvd.
West Chester, OH 45069
(513)777-4428

Otherwise, here's some guidelines, according to Hannah's mother Mei Ling:

"BONE MARROW TESTING
Thanks again to all of you who have expressed interest in either getting tested, or for getting the word out, regarding our need for a bone marrow donor. We are sorry if the process has been frustrating and/or confusing for some of you. Hopefully the following information will clear things up.

First, when calling the 800-MARROW2 (800-627-7692) number, DO NOT say that you want to get tested for “Hannah Rumping.” The National Donor Registry does not do individual testing. Individual testing because it is very costly, requires paperwork from our doctor(s), and would take several weeks. By joining the National Donor Registry, your information will get put into the National Registry immediately and our search coordinator here at Children's receives updates daily of all new registrants that potentially match Hannah. We only asked that you get a copy of your results to help identify you and speed up the process, but it seems that is not really necessary. By joining the National Registry you are saying you would be willing to help anyone, but you would always have the option of declining if they did contact you regarding donation.

Therefore, if you are willing to get tested or are telling others to get tested, please remind them to not say that they are getting tested for Hannah. If you/they do, the National Donor Registry will try to send them elsewhere and will give them incorrect information.

Remember, for more information on bone marrow testing, donation, and transplant, visit www.marrow.org. You must be over 18 to be tested and registered. I hope this clears up any confusion.

God be with you,
Mei Ling"



Thanks,
PAULAKEVIN

"Only a life lived for others is worth living."
-Einstein

At this point, I wouldn't be able to donate due to a recent Tattoo.

I will look into registry and see how that plays out.

I am praying for the family and especially the child. I will continue to pray, as well.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I'm sure that many will do what they can to help. Prayerfully, all will be fine in short order.

A special thank you to all who have read, posted, replied lately!

PLEASE KEEP THIS THREAD GOING!

HANNAH NEEDS A BONOR MARROW DONOR!!!!!!!!!!

20 March 14, 2007 at 09:41 PM EST
SO-SO DAYS!

Hannah’s condition has stabilized but she continues to fight off infections and deal with side affects from the chemotherapy. She is still fighting the rotavirus and is sick to her stomach, vomiting. Please pray for her to feel better. She is such an inspiring little spirit yet even she gets worn down sometimes. Yesterday, Hannah and mommy had one of those days - worn down from five weeks of drugs, sickness, and grief. Hannah had had enough! She hid behind mommy whimpering, shaking her head no, no more! She wanted no more prodding, poking or feeling sick. Mommy held it together for our little girl but it drained her emotionally. As the father I realize my job is to provide and protect them spiritually, emotionally, and physically. To provide and protect where God has allowed me to have control. By the time daddy (I) came to the rescue Mei Ling was spent but still holding it together. My wife is stronger than I have ever given her credit. Thank you Lord for giving me such a strong woman; my completer not my competor.

Mei Ling will tell you that she couldn’t do it without the help of the medical staff that give of themselves as well as their skills. Many of them go the extra mile with Hannah and care for her beyond their work hours. They give of their hearts, allowing Hannah inside their protective barrier, which can be emotionally draining for them. But you can see the strength it gives Hannah and Mei Ling, and for that we are truly thankful. Many of them leave the floor exhausted, more from the emotional drain than the physical work. From doctors and nurses to assistants and cleaning crews they give and give and give.

One of these amazing people is one of Hannah’s nurses, Justine Suedkamp. Justine stays late and has worked overtime on her days off to care for Hannah. She also is training to participate in the “Flying Pig” half-marathon event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. They are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. Justine has asked us if she could walk in honor of Hannah and we couldn’t be more moved. What a blessing that, like many of you, these new friends are willing to go “the extra mile” for God’s little girl. Please visit Justine’s website at www.active.com/donate/tntsoh/tntsohJSuedka to learn more, see her note and picture of Hannah, and to find out how you can help support Justine in raising money to help find a cure for children like Hannah.

We also want to take this time to thank all of you as well. Many of you out there can relate to this experience because you are feeling it yourself to some extent. You have let Hannah into your heart, inside your protective barrier, and by doing so, are willing to experience the ups and downs along side of Hannah. You cry with her and laugh with her and you celebrate with us and grieve with us. I know it takes something out of you each time. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your willingness to give part of yourselves for Hannah’s sake. We know you will never be the same –changed forever from this. It is through our willingness to sacrifice of ourselves in “one anothering” that the Lord moves. We are convinced that this is one of the purposes the Lord plans to accomplish through this trial – to teach His people to care for one another again like we should. To care more for one another than for our stuff or ourselves – to break us out of our comfort zone and to focus on what God says is important: relationships! The Greeks worshiped the intellect, the Romans worshiped power, our God is a god of relationships, to love each other as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-40). So, thank you! Thank you for giving a piece of yourself; spiritually in prayer, physically in care, and emotionally because you dare.

Please Lord, Heal Hannah!
Tom and Mei Ling

PLEASE KEEP READING AND POSTING!

HANNAH NEEDS A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by PaulaKevin:
PLEASE KEEP READING AND POSTING!

HANNAH NEEDS A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT!!!!!!!!!!!

*

quote:

Originally posted by PaulaKevin:
TWO-YEAR-OLD Hannah Rumping, daughter of Marine Tom Rumping, NEEDS A BONE MARROW DONOR!!!!! She is in Cincinnati Children's.

Specifically she needs a donor whose blood has an ASIAN/MINORITY component! (Note: I do not believe I have a minority component, but will be tested anyway, because you never really know if you might be a match unless you get tested...)

If you are a minority, testing should be free.

If you live in the Cincinnati area, this is the place to go:
Community Blood Center -West Chester
8731 Union Centre Blvd.
West Chester, OH 45069
(513)777-4428

Otherwise, here's some guidelines, according to Hannah's mother Mei Ling:

"BONE MARROW TESTING
Thanks again to all of you who have expressed interest in either getting tested, or for getting the word out, regarding our need for a bone marrow donor. We are sorry if the process has been frustrating and/or confusing for some of you. Hopefully the following information will clear things up.

First, when calling the 800-MARROW2 (800-627-7692) number, DO NOT say that you want to get tested for “Hannah Rumping.” The National Donor Registry does not do individual testing. Individual testing because it is very costly, requires paperwork from our doctor(s), and would take several weeks. By joining the National Donor Registry, your information will get put into the National Registry immediately and our search coordinator here at Children's receives updates daily of all new registrants that potentially match Hannah. We only asked that you get a copy of your results to help identify you and speed up the process, but it seems that is not really necessary. By joining the National Registry you are saying you would be willing to help anyone, but you would always have the option of declining if they did contact you regarding donation.

Therefore, if you are willing to get tested or are telling others to get tested, please remind them to not say that they are getting tested for Hannah. If you/they do, the National Donor Registry will try to send them elsewhere and will give them incorrect information.

Remember, for more information on bone marrow testing, donation, and transplant, visit www.marrow.org. You must be over 18 to be tested and registered. I hope this clears up any confusion.

God be with you,
Mei Ling"



Thanks,
PAULAKEVIN

*

quote:

Originally posted by RobRodriguez:
When I think of the issues that many of the military families deal with, I think of my personal experiences... separation, stress, never knowing where you will PCS to next. But there are deeper issues that we normally don't consider unless it happens to us or someone we know. Here is an example:

We have friends, Tom and MeiLing Rumping. Tom is a former Marine, who now works at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Their 2-year-old is in DESPERATE need of a bone marrow transplant. Neither of their other two children were matches and now they are trying to test their unborn child. Hannah has a rare form of leukemia and is in Cincinnati Children's. She JUST got moved out of ICU where she had a life-threatening infection and they almost lost her several times. She now will resume chemo and hopefully a donor will be found quickly. A complication is that Hannah apparently needs an "Asian component" in a donor, as she's part Chinese.

Hannah is not unique in this struggle. There are many other military and civilian families who are in similar situations and suffer thorugh these deep issues.

The point is that you can help. To see about getting tested and registered for the National Bone Marrow Donor Program, you should call 800-Marrow2 (800-627-7692) to find out where to go in your area and how to get an appointment or kit. Samples for testing are either taken with a finger stick blood sample, or swab of cheek cells.

If you so choose, you may also contact Hannah's mom, Mei Ling: mlrumping@cinci.rr.com

Many thanks.

*************

they will be in my thoughts and prayers

quote:

Originally posted by Navywifeb:
they will be in my thoughts and prayers

*

Update coming on HANNAH as soon as I hear.

Please keep reading and posting!!!!!

Well, gee, I'm not eligible to donate because of a herniated disk in my neck...that seems rather extreme.

I will certainly put Hannah on lots of prayer lists!

Would it be possible to put "marrow" brochures at blood drawings? It seems like the American Red Cross could step up to the plate on this. How tough would it be for them to take one more vial of blood from people that wanted to offer their blood for testing. The people giving blood are the same ones that would probably like to get involved w/this.

Good luck. I will use the number you gave. I have American Indian in my background

URGENT MESSAGE FROM MARINE TOM RUMPING ABOUT HIS 2-year-old HANNAH in Cincinnati Children's:

March 22, 2007 at 12:22 AM EST
PRAY…PRAY HARD!

Hannah’s blood pressure has dropped again and her heart rate is unstable. We may be facing another virus? They are moving us back to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) as a precaution. As you read this message please take a moment to PRAY, PRAY LONG AND HARD for our little girl.

The battle is not ours,
We look to God above.
For he will guide us safely through,
And guard us with His love.

So do not be afraid,
We need not run and hide.
For there is nothing we can’t face,
When God is at our side.

quote:

Originally posted by PaulaKevin:
URGENT MESSAGE FROM MARINE TOM RUMPING ABOUT HIS 2-year-old HANNAH in Cincinnati Children's:

March 22, 2007 at 12:22 AM EST
PRAY…PRAY HARD!

Hannah’s blood pressure has dropped again and her heart rate is unstable. We may be facing another virus? They are moving us back to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) as a precaution. As you read this message please take a moment to PRAY, PRAY LONG AND HARD for our little girl.

The battle is not ours,
We look to God above.
For he will guide us safely through,
And guard us with His love.

So do not be afraid,
We need not run and hide.
For there is nothing we can’t face,
When God is at our side.

*

quote:

Originally posted by PaulaKevin:
URGENT MESSAGE FROM MARINE TOM RUMPING ABOUT HIS 2-year-old HANNAH in Cincinnati Children's:

March 22, 2007 at 12:22 AM EST
PRAY…PRAY HARD!

Hannah’s blood pressure has dropped again and her heart rate is unstable. We may be facing another virus? They are moving us back to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) as a precaution. As you read this message please take a moment to PRAY, PRAY LONG AND HARD for our little girl.

The battle is not ours,
We look to God above.
For he will guide us safely through,
And guard us with His love.

So do not be afraid,
We need not run and hide.
For there is nothing we can’t face,
When God is at our side.

*****

March 25, 2007 at 02:58 PM EST

Hannah is out of the ICU as of this afternoon. The reason we were in the ICU so long was because they are still not sure what it was that caused her drop in blood pressure. They were a little reluctant to send us out while Hannah still was losing large amounts of fluid caused by diarrhea.

Each child is different. Hannah is fluid sensitive. This means that when Hannah’s body fluids get low her body reacts quickly and negatively. SO WHAT HAPPENED? Last Wednesday night (3/21) Hannah started with diarrhea. We still don’t know why. The rotavirus is gone. The diarrhea caused her to lose a lot of fluid fast. The loss of fluids caused a concerning drop in blood pressure. The drop in blood pressure caused her heart to become unstable as it tried to keep up by pushing what little fluid was there through her little system. The medical staff had seen this before – it was just before she crashed the last time and we almost lost her then. So, experience had taught them not to wait. Good call! Due to their quick observation of a developing problem, orientating and alerting the ICU to be ready, the decision to move her to the ICU before it got bad, and taking action by pumping large amounts of fluid in her quickly, we headed off another potential disaster. Good work medical team! With Hannah, the speed at which they operate (tempo) is critical. They were on top of it.

I wish all of you could have seen them in action, shifting from casual observance to battle stations. Speed, skill, and attention to detail that even impressed this prior Marine officer. The young resident doctor Justus Kam quickly sized up the situation with the help of Hannah’s nurse Denise. Denise knew she would need help and got the word out to the other nurses. Within minutes things were hopping. The ICU medical team, using sound judgment, decided to be proactive and took the initiative, giving the order to increase fluids and get Hannah to the ICU.

Just to share with you a taste for the true love they have for Hannah, one of Hannah’s special nurses, Faith, who wasn’t Hannah’s nurse that night, came out of nowhere – from the other side of the unit – and immediately dove into the fray. Once she heard the plight of her little Hannah she knew that time (speed) would be critical. Faith started and changed more fluid pumps and medicines than I could keep up with. Her speed of action, knowledge and attention to detail was exemplary. We believe she along with the others were instrumental in getting the upper hand on this situation before it turned disastrous. Thank all of you. You are a credit to the department you serve, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and the God we serve.

Please Lord, Heal Hannah…
Tom and Mei Ling

P.S. Don’t forget to visit our nurse, Justine Suedkamp’s website. She’s raising money for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, and she highlights Hannah’s story at www.active.com/donate/tntsoh/tntsohJSuedka