Hannah, Age 14

Hannah was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in the summer of 2000. She had had a cough that wouldn’t go away and many misdiagnosises. Once she was admitted to DeVos we knew within four hours what she had. They started treatment immediately to shrink the grapefruit size tumor behind her breasthone and they began to clear the fluid from her lung.

They also began the chemotherapy regime which lasted 2 ½ years. Things were complicated by the fact that she developed blood closts so she had to have two shots daily to thin her blood. One type of chemotherapy gave her seizures and the steroids gave her knee and joint problems. After about a year of treatment she developed hestoplasmosis in her lungs. She had to have surgery and a tube inserted in drain her lungs. Having hestoplasmosis meant bi-weekly and then weekly trips to the clinic for treatment.

Thankfully she has been off chemo for four years now! We appreciate so much all the staff at DeVos and the love and care they give to the children under their care.

Hannah has two older siblings, Mary, 20, Sebastian, 17. Her parents Barbara and Robert say that Hanah likes soccer, knitting, music, language and reinacting. As a family, they enjoy camping, reading, music, discussions in Germany and travel. This will be the family’s 7th Marathon.