Hannah’s Journey

What a difference a day makes! Actually, it has been a few days since I last posted, but we needed time to digest the latest in Hannah’s ongoing treatment. On Monday, when Hannah and Bill went to the hospital, they met with Hannah’s oncology team. Hannah’s treatment and health were discussed, and the decision was made to stop chemotherapy treatments at this time. After all of the tests came back negative on the fluid taken from around her heart, the team felt that it was just too risky to take the chance and have her undergo more chemo. The fluid around her heart could have been a slow build up starting with her surgery in April, or it could have been a case of acute build up. Hannah’s team were just not willing to take the risk to her heart. It is a fine line as to when the best time is to stop treatment or keep going. Even though Hannah will not be getting any more chemo, she will be undergoing a lung treatment that will be administered at home for the next 6 - 12 months. The purpose of this treatment is to strenghened the immune system, specifically in her lungs, which would hopefully fight off any cancer cells that still exist there. There is still a spot on the lower lobe of her left lung that her team feels could be scar tissue, but are watching closely. She will be going back for a follow-up visit on October 23rd, and will have a repeat cat scan to see if there is any change to that spot. Hannah will be returning to the hospital for monthly check ups the first year to keep a close watch for any sign of relapse. She will be officially starting her freshman year on October 3rd, and is looking forward to going back to school full time for the first time since mid December. Need I say how high her spirits are? This is a frightening time for Bill and I, because while she is in chemotherapy, the feeling is there that the cancer is being kept at bay. Once she is off chemo, her body needs to fight it off itself. Hopefully, with the treatment plan in place for the next year, she will continue to grow strong and resume a full, normal life.