Oh, a thousand thank yous! I'll continue to post updates as I receive them....
~PaulaKevin

quote:

Originally posted by PaulaKevin:
Oh, a thousand thank yous! I'll continue to post updates as I receive them....
~PaulaKevin

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Prayers!

Hi, I was searching on Google today for anything relating to near-haploid leukemia and stumbled upon this site in regards to Hannah. Our family is not in the military but my son who is 5 has this particular rare type of cancer. He was diagnosed in January of 2006 and received a BMT in September of 2006 and is doing beautifully! I hope your search for a donor is successful and your are in our prayers!

Cynthia & Adrian Adrian

WE HAVE A DONOR,
AND WE HAVE A DATE!

Late last week our Bone Marrow Search Coordinator gave us the blessed news that they have a donor match for Hannah! Not only one but three adult and two cord blood matches. Praise God! They are not perfect so we will continue to search for the best match possible as we prepare to go to transplant but they are good enough to push forward and forward it shall be. The Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) team met to review her case and have decided that they would like to take her to transplant as soon as possible – this month vs. June! They don’t want to wait and take the chance on her getting sick again and/or letting her leukemia to regroup and come back. Delay only puts Hannah at greater risk. Therefore, our transplant date is set for May 25th. We are happy about this decision, but it puts pressure on us to make sure we are ready – physically, emotionally and spiritually! The only thing we have been waiting on is Hannah’s strength.

Hannah must be as strong and healthy as possible to give her the best chance for success. Therefore, our goal will be to continue to focus on getting Hannah strong and to keep her healthy. Right now, the plan is for us to go home Friday the 5th! Next week will be “testing week” and Hannah will undergo several tests in preparation for transplant. So, although we will be “home” we will be at the hospital, or in outpatient physical therapy, for at least 4 days next week. We will then check back into the BMT unit on Friday, May 18th to install a central line, begin intensive chemotherapy for the first two days, then total body radiation twice a day for the next four days, and then receive our transplant on Friday, May 25th. The first 30 days following transplant are the most critical and Hannah will be at the mercy of whatever God allows to come her way. We will especially need everyone to commit to prayer, and perhaps even fast, during those 30 to 40+ days following transplant on behalf of Hannah.

As we have asked many times, please continue to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Pray that Hannah will get stronger and stay healthy so we can stay on schedule for the transplant. Also pray for our family as we shift from finding a marrow donor to focusing inward to face this very difficult journey – difficult physically, emotionally, and sometimes even spiritually. There is much to do and so very little time to do it all, which can cause enormous amounts of friction and stress. Pray that we as a family stay strong and focused on our priorities – Hannah and each other.

God be with you all,
Tom and Mei Ling

quote:

Originally posted by PaulaKevin:
WE HAVE A DONOR,
AND WE HAVE A DATE!

Late last week our Bone Marrow Search Coordinator gave us the blessed news that they have a donor match for Hannah! Not only one but three adult and two cord blood matches. Praise God! They are not perfect so we will continue to search for the best match possible as we prepare to go to transplant but they are good enough to push forward and forward it shall be. The Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) team met to review her case and have decided that they would like to take her to transplant as soon as possible – this month vs. June! They don’t want to wait and take the chance on her getting sick again and/or letting her leukemia to regroup and come back. Delay only puts Hannah at greater risk. Therefore, our transplant date is set for May 25th. We are happy about this decision, but it puts pressure on us to make sure we are ready – physically, emotionally and spiritually! The only thing we have been waiting on is Hannah’s strength.

Hannah must be as strong and healthy as possible to give her the best chance for success. Therefore, our goal will be to continue to focus on getting Hannah strong and to keep her healthy. Right now, the plan is for us to go home Friday the 5th! Next week will be “testing week” and Hannah will undergo several tests in preparation for transplant. So, although we will be “home” we will be at the hospital, or in outpatient physical therapy, for at least 4 days next week. We will then check back into the BMT unit on Friday, May 18th to install a central line, begin intensive chemotherapy for the first two days, then total body radiation twice a day for the next four days, and then receive our transplant on Friday, May 25th. The first 30 days following transplant are the most critical and Hannah will be at the mercy of whatever God allows to come her way. We will especially need everyone to commit to prayer, and perhaps even fast, during those 30 to 40+ days following transplant on behalf of Hannah.

As we have asked many times, please continue to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Pray that Hannah will get stronger and stay healthy so we can stay on schedule for the transplant. Also pray for our family as we shift from finding a marrow donor to focusing inward to face this very difficult journey – difficult physically, emotionally, and sometimes even spiritually. There is much to do and so very little time to do it all, which can cause enormous amounts of friction and stress. Pray that we as a family stay strong and focused on our priorities – Hannah and each other.

God be with you all,
Tom and Mei Ling

Excellent! Prayers up!

Tom and Mei Ling,

This is wonderful news!

Our prayers are with Hannah, and both of you.

Steve and Patti

I would like to think that in some small way...the Members here...contributed to this victory...

If We manage to pull in the same direction...perhaps anything is possible ???

God Bless and Godspeed...

Yes! Every single of one of you have contributed....SO MUHC MORE THAN YOU KNOW!

I'll continue to keep everyone posted!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by PaulaKevin:
Yes! Every single of one of you have contributed....SO MUHC MORE THAN YOU KNOW!

I'll continue to keep everyone posted!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Status please...

May 14, 2007 at 04:56 PM EDT
COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS

We have enjoyed being home together this past week despite the fact that we spent every weekday (except for Wednesday) at the hospital for testing and/or Oncology/BMT clinic appointments. We were usually there anywhere from 6-9 hours a day. Still, it was worth being able to come home and play with Sarah and Caleb and sleep in our own bed!

As in the past, Hannah did an amazing job of going through her tests. She had a 4 hour test on her kidneys which required them to inject contrast into an IV, take x-rays, then draw blood samples at 4 different intervals. The next day she had an EKG and Echocardiogram of her heart, saw the dentist (who informed me that her permanent teeth may be damaged from her upcoming radiation). The news about her teeth hit hard because it is just another reminder of how serious and damaging radiation can be on her body. Thankfully, the dentist was quick to remind me that her health is more important than her teeth and that the teeth can be fixed later. There are much more serious complications she can face throughout this and I find it weighing on my heart more and more which only leaves me to have to trust God more and more!

Hannah also had another CT scan from head to pelvis for the BMT team and then from head to toe for the radiation team. As we were preparing for the scan, they kept talking to me about having to sedate her and I kept telling them that this would be her 6th CT and that she has never needed sedation before. They agreed to “try” it without sedation, but had me sign all the appropriate paperwork in case they needed to do it. Since this CT involved more scans and they had to put in an IV with contrast to help with the pictures, I started to worry that she may need to be sedated also, but she did it! Everyone was amazed, especially since I was unable to be in the room (due to pregnancy). She cried, but she laid perfectly still through all the scans!

Finally on Friday, Hannah had another bone marrow aspirate, biopsy and lumbar puncture to check the level of leukemia in her body. So far, her preliminary results are clear which means they can’t detect any leukemia. This is exactly where she needs to be for transplant. Thank you Lord God for answering your peoples prayers. We are so thankful that not only is the leukemia undetectable, but as far as we know, all of her other tests have shown her to be in good health. Again, radiation is hard on the body and can especially be hard on her internal organs. So, we want to make sure she is as strong and healthy as she can be going into transplant.

This past weekend we enjoyed the great weather and attended a fundraiser for Cancer Free Kids "The Butterfly Walk" at a local park. We had a great time! We just had to keep her with a mask, to limit her exposure to pollens, molds, fungus spores, etc. - things you get from being outside especially in the woods or from fresh cut grass. Sarah and Caleb also enjoyed the day with several friends who came out to walk with us and help support this great cause. Next year we hope to see Hannah recognized with all the other pediatric cancer SURVIVORS at the walk!

We are all looking forward to enjoying a quiet week at home together – no scheduled tests (maybe just one clinic visit) and lots of time just being together. We realize that this will be the last time we will all be together for at least a couple of months and maybe longer – maybe forever. As I write this I have to stop and cry. As we approach our check-in date on Friday and the upcoming events (surgery, heavy chemo, total body radiation, and then transplant), I find it harder and harder to handle it emotionally. Quite frankly, it scares me – it scares us all – but we just keep clinging to God and remember that He is in control and has already determined a purpose in all this. Keep praying that His purpose will be to Heal Hannah!

Trusting in Him,
Mei Ling and Tom

Thank you so much, everyone, for your posts and interest. While there is a donor for Hannah, they are still searching every day for a better match. The local television stations and newspapers have provided some coverage and there are donor drives still going on specifically for Hannah. This test involves a simple cheek swab. Please, please continue to get tested....for Hannah or for someone else! Hannah, in particular, needs an ethnic component -- Asian, Hispanic, Native American or other, is my understanding. I also have been told this test is free if you are of a minority in any way.....that's just what my undertsanding is, but it may be different state-to-state. However, I have no known minority ethnicity, but my testing was free here in Cincinnati, as was my husband's. We got tested because you never really know what components may be in your blood.....and, also, having learned so much about the donor program, we got tested regardless if we were a match for Hannah or not. It is also my understanding you can have your name removed from the registry any time you request. Just some good information.

For those who are following this thread so faithfully, there are delightful pictures of Hannah and updates at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital CAREPAGES website. Hannah Rumping. I am sorry I do not know how to connect pictures directly to this thread.....I am not so computer savvy and have no time to figure it out these days.

I believe the carepages website for Cin Children's is:

http://www.carepages.com/home.jsp?seed=459580&ClusterNo...ldrens&tlcx2=1814974

God bless you all and thank you for your prayers for this darling little pun'kin.

~PaulaKevin

quote:

Originally posted by PaulaKevin:
Thank you so much, everyone, for your posts and interest. While there is a donor for Hannah, they are still searching every day for a better match. The local television stations and newspapers have provided some coverage and there are donor drives still going on specifically for Hannah. This test involves a simple cheek swab. Please, please continue to get tested....for Hannah or for someone else! Hannah, in particular, needs an ethnic component -- Asian, Hispanic, Native American or other, is my understanding. I also have been told this test is free if you are of a minority in any way.....that's just what my undertsanding is, but it may be different state-to-state. However, I have no known minority ethnicity, but my testing was free here in Cincinnati, as was my husband's. We got tested because you never really know what components may be in your blood.....and, also, having learned so much about the donor program, we got tested regardless if we were a match for Hannah or not. It is also my understanding you can have your name removed from the registry any time you request. Just some good information.

For those who are following this thread so faithfully, there are delightful pictures of Hannah and updates at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital CAREPAGES website. Hannah Rumping. I am sorry I do not know how to connect pictures directly to this thread.....I am not so computer savvy and have no time to figure it out these days.

I believe the carepages website for Cin Children's is:

http://www.carepages.com/home.jsp?seed=459580&ClusterNo...ldrens&tlcx2=1814974

God bless you all and thank you for your prayers for this darling little pun'kin.

~PaulaKevin

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Newest update from Tom:

May 21, 2007 at 07:31 AM EDT
GOING FORWARD IN FAITH

Friday, May 18th (D-DAY – 7)
DAY 1: The First Day Back, and the First Day of our Final Journey!
This morning, as we took the last of the family photos and video clips, praying that it would not be for the last time, Hannah explained to us that she was going back to the hospital to see her friends, doctors and nurses to get more chemo. Her words, not mine! It was a somber time, lots of hugs and kisses from Sarah and Caleb to Hannah and Hannah to them. Hannah clung to them. Mommy took Hannah to the hospital early in the morning while I stayed behind to get the kids to our church family. They will be watching the kids while we are with Hannah during this critical time. As Mommy and Hannah pulled away from the driveway we ran along side the car for as long as we could. Soon they were gone and we were left with an empty quiet house that used to be a home. We gathered our things and looked around, looking for signs that she (Hannah) had been there, or maybe hoping that she would be around the corner or in the next room. But no, she was gone. Hannah has come to define our family’s love for one another, not in an unhealthy way but in a way that defines how we are to love one another as Christ loves us. She has caused us to pause and recognize what really matters in life – relationships!

Later after the surgery she woke angry, violent and determined to get her way. I have never seen Hannah act like that. She was uncontrollable and inconsolable. If I didn’t know any better I would have said she was “demon possessed.” We held her with our tears. This was not our Hannah, and I was going to find out if the anesthesia could cause her violent behavior before we drugged her to calm her. The answer was yes – yes the anesthesia was probably the cause. After she wore herself out and fell asleep, she woke up the happy sweet little girl we all know and love. Thank God! Later we were told that they were concerned about her liver function and may postpone chemo for a day therefore pushing her schedule back a day.

Day 2, Saturday, May 19th
Unlike the day before, this proved to be a pretty uneventful day. We did receive the good news that Hannah’s liver “numbers” improved and that we are on schedule for the chemo part of her treatment along with a whole host of new medications. It still amazes me that they give her medications to get rid of the leukemia and then have to give her medications to treat all the problems caused by the medications they just gave her! In addition, Hannah was also given some blood since she was running a bit lower than normal. All in all, it was a happy day spent playing and watching “moo-ees.” Hannah is back to her normal pleasant self!

Day 3, Sunday, May 20th
Like yesterday, the day was pretty quiet. No special tests, events, or problems. It is the Lord’s Day and not much going on, like it should be. The most significant thing was that Hannah received, what we hope will be, the LAST dose of chemo she will EVER receive in her life – EVER!

Day 4 – TODAY starts our 4 days of Total Body Radiation. They will pick us up by ambulance at 7:30AM and transport us to the University of Cincinnati Hospital where the radiation will take place. After her treatment, they bring us back only to pick us up again at 1:30PM to go back for another round of radiation. This will be our routine for 4 days. This is one of the scariest parts of Hannah’s treatment. Radiation is the most effective means of eradicating her body of cancer, but it can also be extremely damaging to her body. We ask that you pray for protection of her internal organs, especially her liver, kidneys, bladder, bowels, stomach, ovaries, etc. Pray that Hannah will tolerate the radiation well – keeping up her energy and appetite as much as possible. We also ask that you pray that these treatments eliminate each and EVERY leukemia cell in her body.

Please Lord, Heal Hannah, Tom and Mei Ling

My prayers are with you and your family. You've got the best doctor on your side already, He's the perfect healer as you know.

Thank you for the updates.

THIS AFTERNOON'S UPDATE ON HANNAH:

May 21, 2007 at 07:56 PM EDT
Day 4 (D-DAY – 4)

Today, we made the hardest decision of our lives! We gave people permission to give deadly radiation to our beloved daughter. It hit me (us) as she fell asleep in Mei Ling’s arms as they sedated her. As I laid her down on the table and began to walk out of the room, I looked back and felt a sick feeling come over me. I felt my knees buckle and my soul tremble, not from fear but from sadness. Our daughter was being put through something that could damage her internal organs forever, or threaten her life, and we were the ones that were permitting it. The sheer weight of the decision was crushing. But God has given us the wisdom, courage and strength to do what is needed for His daughter no matter how difficult. As practicing Christians we know we are doing the right thing, all life is precious in God’s sight and we must do everything in our power to preserve it no matter what the cost or the quality. God sees all life as sacred, not just the lives that have a high degree of perfection.

The minutes in waiting seemed like hours. Finally they came and got us. When we saw our girl she was sleepy but pleasant. No “Mr. Hyde” this time. We told the anesthesiologist what happened Friday and he ensured us he would use a different anesthesia. We enjoyed the late morning reading books, playing and watching movies.

The second round of radiation in the afternoon went a little better than the first, emotionally at least. Physically, Hannah struggled out of the anesthesia and slept a good part of the afternoon. She is still eating fairly well but that is expected to taper off because of the radiation. At 6:30 this evening we saw the first side effects of the radiation, toxic diarrhea. We will be on the look out for mouth sores and stomach problems. Please pray that we can overcome (or avoid) these expected side effects to the treatment.

Thank you again for your prayers. We hope to see our local friends and church family at the prayer service for Hannah this Thursday at 7:00 PM and we thank all of you who are unable to be with us for joining us in prayer that night.

And the battle cry goes out…PLEASE LORD, HEAL HANNAH!

Trusting in Him,
Tom and Mei Ling

Praying for child, and family!

Prayers for Hannah and her family...
May God wrap her in His gentle arms as she heals and give her strength for the fight, courage for the future and calm for her soul.