Hannah's Fight Against Cancer

Hannah is a wonderful human being who has always strived to create an inclusive environment for her family and friends. She is the President of her FFA Chapter in Beulah, a committed academic and student, a student who took care of the greenhouse at her school over the summer, and a cheerleader who both cheered her school on, competed, and also taught young children how to cheer! Hannah is now pursuing an incredibly fulfilling career as an agriculture teacher and will change the minds and hearts of her future students. Once Hannah sets her mind to something, she does it. Beating cancer will be no different.

Our wonderful, beautiful, and determined Hannah received life changing news about her health and what the future holds for her. On September 15th, just after the starts of her Senior Year, Hannah was taken to Sanford in Bismarck after X-Rays and CT Scans to determine what illness was impacting her breathing and terrible cough she had since the end of July.

She continued to undergo invasive procedures like an echocardiogram, blood tests, and scans with news and many more questions. One thing that we learned was that there was excess fluid build-up in her lungs, and a mass within her chest pressing against her lungs.

A biopsy was scheduled and completed as there was now a determinable malignant mass visible in her chest, a repeat echo, breathing tests, and removed 200cc of fluid around her heart. By September 18th, there still was not any obvious diagnosis, but cancer was the broad overlay on what is to hold for her in the future.

Complications with surgery caused her to be placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where respiratory therapists, cardiologists, oncologists, nurses and care aides attend to her. Her breathing became more difficult as the night drew on, cardiology began quickly working to find answers for her breathing, and she ended up being intubated and placed in an induced coma in order to ensure her safety and health through the various procedures to come, and to alleviate the stress on her body. The cancer is T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

Hannah was flown to Fargo and chemo has now been started as she is still intubated (on the ventilator) and sedated. Chemo will be aggressive in the next 28 days, it is overwhelming, and a lot of healing will be needed for Hannah.

This news was just within 5 days. Life is changing fast for her family.

Hannah is a strong, independent, and determined young woman. She is fighting for her life but knows she can kick cancer’s ass. Stories of her spunk and tenacious attitude are already coming from the ICU staff even under the vent. It is so hard to reflect that Hannah was climbing mountains, walking the city, playing soccer, celebrating her 18th birthday, and laughing as a family just a month ago and now we are here.

Please help support Hannah, Vicky, Russ, Kodah, and Cooper through this new chapter of life that will come with many ups and downs, bad and good news, fear and happiness.

Update November 19th, 2023:

Hannah is now at home, receiving chemo every single day. Hannah is still doing school from home, even while fighting through the pain. She is receiving multiple chemo injections every day and a spinal tap once a month. That is a lot for such a young person to go through. Sometimes receiving chemo means lots of pain, or numbness in her limbs, shaking of her hands (which unfortunately makes painting and drawing hard), and fatigue.

Hannah while receiving chemo has been singing with her nurses, laughing and telling jokes with her aunt and uncle, and reaching out to her friends and family. We are so grateful for her humour and spirit through this.