"We have a LOT of hope...." | Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Imagine being 21 years old, feeling sick... for a long time.... night sweats, strange rashes, tired all the time, short of breath.... and being treated for two years for 'chest pain.' How frustrating would that be? Not feeling like you can have a life, cause you feel so crappy?
THEN, being told you have Stage 3, Hodgkins Lymphoma.... We're sorry, "You have cancer."
Mom says, "We were terrified. She'd been treated for two years for various ailments, never even looking for cancer." Now they were facing Stage 3 cancer, with almost her entire torso filled with tumors.
Starting chemo this past spring, Hannah underwent treatments every two weeks...enduring many reactions to the various chemo and anti-nausea drugs, her mother watching helplessly at her side. "It's hard to watch her go through this, but she's got such a positive attitude... she even makes fun of it."
Her self-deprecating humor was evident during her portrait session. Her inner beauty exceeds her outward beauty. "It's not part of my nature to get down and stay down. But when I lost my hair, it was scary.... then it became 'real', then I LOOKED sick and like I had cancer." Her family rallied to her side with her brother and brother-in-law both shaving their heads to match Hannah's!
"We have hope that this is a temporary thing- I have no fear that I won't make it through this. We have a LOT of hope."
Her words to others going through the same trials.... "lean on your faith and take one hour at a time, then one day at a time.... set short milestones for yourself." I suspect that it's more of that gorgeous smile, her positive and humorous attitude and inner strength that gets this young woman through each day....
Labels: #bebold, bald woman, bald women, Be Bold Feel Beautiful, childhood blood disorders, childhood diseases, Hodgkins Lymphoma, non-hodgkins lymphoma, Non-profit, Terri Shaver, The Oldham Project
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4 Comments :
The most beautiful girl i have ever seen. She is more beautiful than words could ever describe and truly amazing. Keep your head up
Hannah - you rocked that photo session. You go girl!
This happened to me also. I am the September, 2010 photos. I am still fighting this monster. By the time they found my NHL, I was stage 4. They misdiagnosed me also. I know what you are fighting. Faith and courage are the best things you can carry with you and a good MP3 player to keep your mind occupied through the horror of Chemo. This shouldn't be happening to someone so young and beautiful; but, cancer does not discriminate. Keep on fighting. I know you can do it. I will be praying for you.
You are beautiful and strong and I know you will beat this... as I am going through terminal cancer myself, I know what you are going through..God Bless
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