Hanna Michele Gibson
November 20, 2000 - August 9, 2004
We love you and miss you so much!!



Hanna was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January 2002. She was 14 months old. The only sign we had that anything was wrong was her head tilting. Thankfully, her pediatrician, Dr. Narayanan, knew what that meant. She was soon sent for brain surgery to remove the tumor. Surgery was a success, but it wasn’t over. Hanna's tumor was a very malignant one, Anaplastic Astrocytoma. She was to undergo chemotherapy for 18 months followed by 6 weeks of radiation. She handled chemo unbelievably, but after being on it for only 8 months, the tumor was back. This time the tumor was too close to the brain stem. She had another surgery, but some of the tumor had to be left behind. As soon as she recovered, she began 6 weeks of radiation. That was completed January 2003. She did great for that entire year. Her tumor remained stable. However, her MRI in February 2004 showed regrowth. She began a different type of chemo that helped her for a little over 3 months. But sadly, by late June, things had taken a turn for the worse and nothing seemed to help. We filled as much fun as we possible could into Hanna's last few weeks. She had a great time, and we got memories that we will always hold on to. Thank you to everyone who prayed for Hanna and who continues to pray for our family. The love and concern we have been shown through all of this is truly appreciated.



















ANGEL JANE



CLICK HERE







“The Strength of an Egg”

Parents of children with cancer are often referred to or viewed as having "strength like a rock". Albeit flattering it is not quite true. It is more like the strength of an egg. An egg you ask? Yes!
If you'll think about it, you'll see my point.

An egg has a polished, smooth outer appearance, with no cracks or weak spots visible. It seems almost inconceivable that the inside might not be
as smooth or solid.

Most children, at some point, are shown the famous egg trick. An egg set at just the right angle can withstand enormous amounts of pressure and cannot be cracked or broken. Yet the same egg, tapped gently at an even
slightly different angle, will break. The contents, once so neatly concealed, will come spilling out. The no-longer perfect shell will be crushed. It looks so fragile that it seems inconceivable that it ever held any strength.

A rock, on the other hand is solid all the way through. To break it is almost impossible. If you succeed, you will find that there is nothing inside but more rock. It takes a lot more than pure hardness to hold the "HAND OF HOPE".

Parents of children with cancer are not solid all the way through. We hurt, we fear, we cry, we hope. It takes a very careful balancing act to keep the shell from being shattered. "Balancing an egg" while running a household,
going for doctors' visits and hospital stays, keeping the family together, and holding on to the constantly unraveling ties of your sanity can be very tricky indeed!

Occasionally, the angle will be off and the shell will break, shattering hope and the neatly secured appearances of a truly fragile existence. Unlike Humpty Dumpty, though, parents of children with cancer will pick
themselves up and put themselves back together again.

Journal

Monday, August 11, 2008 0:01 AM CDT

Hanna,

This week has been a whirlwind, as I’m sure you are quite well aware. I didn’t get to leave a message here on the 9th because everything has been so hectic, but it certainly didn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about you everyday. I know I say it all the time, but I can’t believe it’s been 4 years since I’ve seen your sweet face and kissed your sweet lips. I miss you so much! This week has been full of so many mixed emotions. Of course, we are so happy to finally have your little sister here with us. We just so wish you were here, too.

I just don’t believe that there’s not some message in all of this happening right now. August 9th will be a day that will be with us forever. It breaks our hearts that you had to leave us so soon, but we are so thankful that we know where you are. August 9th is the day that you took Jesus by the hand and stepped into Heaven. Now, August 10th is the day that Gracie was placed in our arms. Today, August 11th is the day we had your funeral, and now it’s the day that China officially made us Gracie’s parents. Bittersweet! I sometimes think about how sad I am that you’re not here to meet her, but other times I think you already have. I want to believe that this is all just your way of giving us your blessing.

I want to say more, but I can’t really see the screen anymore. How can I be so sad and so happy all at the same time?? I love you so much. I miss you more than words can ever say. I can’t wait until the day that we are all together again.

Love,
Mommy

Hospital Information:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
332 N. Lauderdale St.
Memphis, TN 38105
(901)495-3300

Links:

E-mail Author: tammy_pinnow@yahoo.com

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