Doing Great!

Sorry that we have been neglecting everyone for so long. Hannah is doing very well with her treatments. So, what have we been up to? let’s back up a little bit… As you probably know, there was a big fundraiser organized for Hannah at Maggies Pub late last month. It was a HUGE success! A ton of people turned out in support. There were even some of the Laker Girls there! We would like to thank everybody that volunteered their time for the event and want everyone to know that we (mom and dad) had almost nothing to go with it. We cannot thank everyone enough for their help and support.

Second Chemo… Hannah had her second treatment late June. As you will recall she got very ill the first treatment and we were very afraid she would have the same reaction. The Doctor changed her meds from Zofran to Emmend. What a difference! No nausea whatsoever! Just a little tired. Boy were we relieved about that. Thanks to all of you who recommended Emend, it is a godsend.

Fourth of July… We decided to take the kids away for the weekend. So we all went to San Diego, our favorite getaway place (not that we get away much). Friday we all went to Sea World and saw Shamu and friends. Saturday we went to a baseball game to watch our favorite team the Dodgers play. It was JJ’s first game and he slept most of it. After the game we went to our hotel room, freshened up and went to Seaport Village. A very nice little tourist trap pretty much on the water. We had a nice dinner and watched the fireworks from our table.

Last weekend… Hannahs Auntie Leah got married (FINALLY!) Her and Uncle Jordon had been together for like a thousand years. Mom was the maid of honor, dad was a groomsman, JJ was the ringbearer pulled down the isle in a pink wagon and Hannah was a junior bridesmaid. So we all had our hands full getting ready. Hannah wore a wig for the ceremony and about 30 seconds after the “I do’s” off it came. She probably danced more than anyone there. We were just glad that she felt well enough to participate at all.

Third treatment… Today was Hannahs third treatment (one more to go!). I usually takes about three to four hours from start to finish. But not today, it took almost SEVEN hours! The office hadn’t recieved Hannahs blood test results so they had to draw more blood and wait for the results. After that, they started the chemo. She got very dizzy for some reason and her blood pressure jumped. So she had to be monitored until she was stable before she was allowed to go home. She has felt fine since then so we are happy about that.

Hannahs next treatment is August third. After that we are all going to sit down with the oncologist and the surgeon to figure out if there will be any follow up treatments. There is talk of another surgery to remove two phases of lymph nodes but we will see about that later.

That’s about all that has been going on. Again… Sorry for not posting more often, we will try harder to keep everyone up to speed.

Dodger Blue Anyone?

What an experience!!!

Nobody knew what to expect Friday night at the Dodger game. We were all (Hannah, Mom, Dad, Nana, Papa, Auntie Leah, Uncle Jordon and Grampa) supposed to be at the stadium at 4:30pm. But as usual, we were late half an hour. It took us an hour and a half to get to the stadium and it is only about 25 miles.  Did I ever mention that I hate LA traffic? It doesn’t matter though, it was totally worth it.

When we got there we met with a stadium official who introduced Hannah to another breast cancer survivor that worked there. You never realize how many survivors there are until it affects you or a loved one.

Hannah was handed a bag that contained some pretty cool knick knacks including the “first Pitch” ball. Each of us were all given field passes so we could accompany Hannah on the field. Our tour guide made a pit stop into an office and came out with a pink bat from the mother’s day game! Even signed by some of the players. Hannah had a smile from ear to ear.

As we walked up the stairs to the field we all had butterflies (except for Hannah of course). That alone was an experience we will never forget. We got to walk on the dirt, feel the spongy grass and see the players and coaches up close. Hannah was given instructions on what was going to happen and where to be when everything started.

Hannah and mom were interviewed by a couple of reporters. And while Hannah was being interviewed, her favorite player Russell Martin walked up from behind her and gave her a hug! Hannah’s jaw about hit the floor!

After Hannah was all googoo gaga over Martin, it was time for the first pitch. There were actually three first pitches but we were told Hannah’s would be last and most important. We were fairly concerned that Hannah would not be able to throw hard or even make it to the catcher (which was Orlando Hudson). But she put all of our fears to rest after she threw a strike.

After that, we were led off of the field to our seats. On the way, people were cheering for Hannah, giving high fives and congratulating her. Even though we didn’t win Hannah said this will be an experience that she will never forget. Either will any of us. Thank you so very much to the Los Angeles Dodgers for giving Hannah this tremendous gift.

From Uncle Jordon,

I’m sure some of you heard about the pre-game honorable mention for Hannah at last night’s Dodger game, and I’m sure her parents will be posting details and pictures about it soon. But I just wanted to share with you all a piece of her experience as shown from last night’s KABC news segment following the game. If only all of you could have seen how excited she was!!