HANNAH'S WINGS

04/30/06 - IT WAS ONE WEEK AGO TODAY THAT HANNAH EARNED HER ANGEL WINGS IN HEAVEN. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY TO OFFER YOUR SUPPORT TO KAREN, STEPHEN AND THE BEST & ELIAS FAMILIES. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL SERVICE AND A TRUE TESTIMONY TO THE LOVE AND LIFE OF HANNAH MACKENZIE ELIAS. HER MEMORY WILL BE KEPT ALIVE THROUGH HER WEBSITE. CONTINUE TO SIGN IN HER GUESTBOOK, EMAIL, LOOK AT PHOTOS AND OFFER YOUR WORDS OF SUPPORT. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HELPED MAKE THE DAY RUN SMOOTHLY. YOUR SPECIAL TOUCHES AND HELPING HANDS MADE IT MORE BEARABLE & OFFERED COMFORT TO THE FAMILY. AFTER THE SERVICE AT HANNAH'S GRAVESIDE 50 YELLOW BALLOONS WITH YELLOW RIBBONS WERE RELEASED. THIS BALLOON RELEASE WAS SYMBOLIC OF HANNAH'S WISH TO TRAVEL. SINCE HANNAH WAS NEVER WELL ENOUGH AND NEVER GOT HER WISH TO VISIT MICKEY MOUSE WE ATTACHED A NOTE TO EACH YELLOW BALLOON SO WE COULD TRACK HANNAH'S TRAVELS. WE ASKED PEOPLE WHO FOUND A BALLOON TO LOG ON TO HER GUESTBOOK AND LET US KNOW WHERE THE BALLOONS WERE FOUND. SO KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!! IT HAS BEEN A VERY EMOTIONAL WEEK FOR KAREN AND STEPHEN BUT WITH THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS THEY ARE MAKING IT ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!!

04/24/06 - FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HANNAH HAVE BEEN MADE TODAY. HANNAH'S LIFE WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ALL THOSE SHE TOUCHED. HANNAH'S OBITUARY WILL BE IN THE TORONTO STAR ON TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY (25TH & 26TH OF APRIL). FOR ALL THOSE WHO LOVED HANNAH AND WOULD LIKE TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS AND OFFER CONDOLENCES TO KAREN, STEPHEN, EMILY & JACOB AND THE BEST & ELIAS FAMILIES THERE WILL BE A VIEWING HELD AT TURNER & PORTER FUNERAL HOME, 2180 HURONTARIO STREET, MISSISSAUGA FROM 2-4 PM & 7-9 PM ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2006. A CELEBRATION OF HANNAH'S LIFE WILL BE HELD AT ST. BRIDE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 1516 CLARKSON ROAD, ON THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2006 AT 10:30AM. THANK YOU TO ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS MESSAGES OF SUPPORT THEY ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED AND HAVE PROVIDED MUCH COMFORT. REST IN PEACE HANNAH!! YOUR STRENGTH & SMILE LIVES ON IN EVERY HEART YOU'VE TOUCHED. YOU ARE A TRUELY AMAZING ANGEL AND HAVE EARNED YOUR WINGS IN HEAVEN. WE LOVE YOU, NOW AND FOREVER!!!

A TRIBUTE TO HANNAH!!!

04/23/06 - A TRIBUTE TO HANNAH!!! She fought all she could but it was just to much for her to bare. At 5:10pm today Hannah went to HEAVEN! With all her family present around her Hannah found true peace!!! She has earned her ANGEL WINGS and is the most beautiful and precious angel in heaven. Thank you to everyone who has supported her through this difficult year. Your prayers will never be forgotten. Hannah's strength and courage will live on FOREVER. She has inspired so many people and touched so many lives. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND HOW HARD YOU FOUGHT. KAREN AND STEPHEN, MAY GOD GIVE YOU STRENGTH TO GO ON. MAY THE SMILES OF EMILY AND JACOB AND THE MEMORIES OF HANNAH HELP YOU LIVE EACH DAY. YOU ARE AMAZING PARENTS, WE CAN SEE WHERE HANNAH GOT HER INNER STRENGTH. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU ALL!!! WE LOVE YOU!!! HANNAH, GOD WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOU. YOU ARE HIS PRECIOUS CHILD!! YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. WE LOVE YOU HANNAH, FOREVER AND ALWAYS!!!

04/20/06 - Hannah still remains it the I.C.U. Yesterday she had a procedure done. They did a needle biopsy from her right lung and aspirated some of the fluid. There has been some decrease in the amount of swelling. The specimen results from the biopsy are not yet available. During the procedure Hannah had 4 units of plateles and the doctors actually had to stop her from breathing for approximately a minute to gather the sample. There was some bleeding during the procedure but the doctors were able to get it quickly under control. Hannah is receiving high doses of morphine as well as a medication that helps her to forget what is going on. Although she is not concious the doctors believe she can hear when spoken to and a have encouraged Karen and Stephen to continue to speak to her as they have before. Hannah is on TPN. She is not getting any feeds through the G-Tube because test results show that the lining of her stomache is to thin as a result of the chemo and could perfortate. Hannah's urine output has decreased again so today she has had a catheter reinserted so that her urine output can be more consisely measured. She has had no fever but is TOTALLY SEDATED. She is also receiving a muscle relaxant and a medication that paralysis her. This allows the machine to do ALL THE BREATHING FOR HER and will allow her lungs and heart some time to REST AND RECOVER. Doctors are concerned with Hannah's blood pressure it has been dropping VERY LOW at times. They are giving her 3 medications for her blood pressure. Hannah is receiving 65% oxygen. Between Friday and Sunday Hannah has had so many procedures done she earned 15 BRAVERY BEADS in just 3 days! WOW!! ON A POSITIVE NOTE Hannah has a full skin rash on 75% of her body which is caused from the GRAFT VS HOST. She is on a small amount of steriods just to control the itching, but doctors want this to occur so that the NEW BONE MARROW is fighting to TAKE OVER! Karen and Stephen have had a VERY TRYING AND EMOTIONAL WEEK!! They know that Hannah is RECEIVING AMAZING CARE FROM ALL THE DOCTOR'S AND THE NURSES IN THE I.C.U. but on the other had have felt a loss of control. Until now they were doing all of Hannah's personal care and now feel very HELPLESS. Although, after a very long time of not sleeping well, Karen and Stephen are able to leave the hospital in the night TOGETHER for about 6 hours and get SOME VERY NEEDED REST!!! Hannah's blood counts have also started to rise which is a positive sign. KEEP THE FAITH. THIS IS ANOTHER LITTLE HURDLE THAT HANNAH JUST NEEDS TO GET OVER!! Karen, Stephen and Hannah you are ALL AMAZING AND STRONG. KEEP PRAYING AS WE WILL WITH YOU!!! Karen and Stephen be reassured that you are AMAZING AND WONDERFUL PARENTS AND THE STRENGTH THAT YOU SHOW TO EACH OTHER AND HANNAH IS ADMIRED BY US ALL. YOU ARE DOING THE BEST THAT YOU POSSIBLY CAN AND HANNAH WILL THANK YOU FOR THAT WHEN SHE IS OLDER AND BE PROUD TO HAVE SUCH LOVING AND DEVOTED PARENTS!!!! STAY STRONG AND KEEP FIGHTING HANNAH!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

04/18/06 - Hannah took a turn for the WORSE overnight. Her heart rate is increased dramatically to over 200. Hannah has fluid building up around her lungs which is restricting them from expanding completely. Therefore her breathing has become shallow and her heart is overworking. Hannah was transfered to the I.C.U. at 1:00 this morning. She was intubated (a tube inserted down her throat to help her breath) and has been sedated to keep her asleep so there is no risk of her pulling out the breathing machine. This will allow Hannah`s lungs to get some rest and her heart to not have to work as hard. After a few hours on the breathing machine Hannah has already shown signs of improvement. Her heart rate has dropped down to the 150`s and her oxygen which was given at 100% is now only needed at 66%. Doctors are optomistic about Hannah`s progress and are hoping that she will only be in the I.C.U. and on the breathing machine for 24 - 72 hours if all continues to go well. Hang in there Hannah. Our prayers are with you!!!!!!

FINALLY SOME GOOD NEWS!!

04/17/06 - FINALLY SOME GOOD NEWS!! Hannah´s kidney function test done today showed POSITIVE RESULTS. Hannah has NO KIDNEY FAILURE and her kidneys are functioning normally! Things were touch and go for a while as Hannah`s oxygen level was dropping and as of yesterday was going to be admitted to the I.C.U. Hannah came through the procedure fine on thursday and did not have to go to the I.C.U. The results from the test showed the spots on Hannah`s lungs were due to BACTERIAL PNUEMONIA, not to the cancer (MORE GREAT NEWS) Although Hannah´s oxygen level is decreased and she has been put on 100% oxygen via mask she is still pulling her own. Hannah has a rash starting on her body that doctors feel MAY BE the early signs of GRAFT VS. HOST, another plus. Although it´s still too early to tell, when Hannah`s new bone marrow is fighting off the cancer cells this rash will occur. Let`s keep our fingers crossed! Otherwise Hannah has really PULLED HERSELF AROUND and is doing REMARKABLY WELL. She is able to eat and drink whatever she wants and has EVEN ASKED TO GO WALKING TODAY!! WAY TO GO HANNAH!!! YOU NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE US!!! KEEP IT UP SWEETIE! THINGS ARE GOING YOUR WAY!!

A LOT OF NEWS TODAY!

04/13/06 - A LOT OF NEWS TODAY! Over the past few days Hannah has received many tests. She has been gaining weight DRAMATICALLY, not because of an increase in appetite. Hannah has been retaining FLUID. Her urine output has decreased and she is having some swelling in her face. Over the past three days she has gained over 4lbs. It is belived that Hannah's kidneys are not functioning at there FULL CAPACITY. Her blood work shows increased levels to a point where the kidneys will begin to shut down. Hannah was scheduled for a kidney function test today but due to some complications the test was not accurate and the results were inconclusive. The test will be redone over the next few days. This will determine if Hannah is in KIDNEY FAILURE and to what extent. Until then a catheter was inserted tonight so her output could be more accurately measured. It was a very UNCOMFORTABLE PROCEDURE for Hannah and took a few attemps. Hannah received 2 more blood transfusions today, one of platelets and one of red blood cells. Hannah had a chest xray today which showed the lesions in her right lung had increased in size and there were some lesions starting on the bottom of her left lung as well. Unsure if these lesions are due to the radiation, infection or clusters of cancer cells the doctors will be preforming a procedure tomorrow to gather a culture of the lesion for testing. This procedure is a FLUSH of the lungs. Hannah will be taken tomorrow to the operating room and put under anethestic. She will be intubated (a small tube inserted down her throat to help her breath. Another small tube with a camera will then be inserted. Following this procedure Hannah will be ADMITTED to the INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. She will require closer monitoring as the breathing tube may need to remain in for 24-72hrs. Hannah is also hooked up to a heart monitor which is detecting some type of murmur or irregularity in her heartbeat. This also could be due to the fluid retention. Hannah has been JAUNDICE for the past few days and has met the criteria for having hepatic V.O.D. (veno-occlusive disease). This is an uncommon complication following high doses of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. In patients with VOD, the blood vessels that carry blood through the liver become swollen and obstructed. This impairs the liver's ability to remove toxins, drugs and other waste products from the bloodstream. Pressure and fluids build up in the liver, causing swelling and tenderness of the liver. The kidneys may retain excess water and salt, causing fluid to build up in the body and swelling of the legs, arms and abdomen to occur. Once this disease occurs the chances for other systems to fail increase dramatically. Symptoms include increased levels of bilirubin (JAUNDICE), painful hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver) and FLUID RETENTION. Hannah is receiving another medication to keep this condition under control. At the moment nothing is CONCLUSIVE until further test results are in. Let's stay positive and hope for the best. Hannah our prayers are with you. May you continue to find your strength in God's love as he is watching over you. Karen and Stephen, stay strong. Things may be very SCARY right now because there are so many UNKNOWNS. But remember Hannah is receiving the best care possible and she has AMAZING STRENGTH and DETERMINATION to get well. You both are also in our prayers today and ALWAYS!

04/10/06 - Hannah spiked a fever this morning (39.1) She has been given tylenol every 4 hours but the fever has not gone down yet. She was started on morphine this afternoon for the pain in her mouth and tummy. The urine culture taken on Friday when she had the blood in the urine tested positive for a strep virus so she was started on an antibiotic for that today. Hannah's G-Tube was draining a little today and when swabbed tested postive for infection. She also had a chest xray done today which showed some decreased air entry in her right lung and some brown spots. Doctors felt this may be a result of the radiation or it may be a fungal infection so they started her on an antibiotic for that. As of today Hannah is on 4 DIFFERENT IV ANTIBIOTICS. Her platelets taken this morning were only 7 so Hannah received a transfusion. About 8 hours later blood work was taken again and they had only gone up to 27 so she was given a second transfusion of platelets. The doctors want to keep her platelets above 30 because of the recent fever. Her hemoglobin also dropped this afternoon so Hannah was awaiting a transfusion of red blood cells. A very busy day for Hannah. Besides being on 4 antibiotics, morphine and given 3 blood transfusions Hannah found time to rest and watch tv. She doesn't yet have the energy to sit up and do crafts. That will come in time. Enjoy your sleep tonight Hannah. You deserve the REST!!!!

04/09/06 - Hannah is living proof of THE POWER OF PRAYER. Hannah continues to DEFY ALL ODDS. She has been doing EXTREMELY WELL so far. She made it through the chemo, radiation and the transplant with minor complaints. Thanks to all of you, your continued support & prayers with GODS HELP Hannah IS GOING TO BEAT THIS!!!!!! People all over the world who hear of Hannah's story are TOUCHED by her COURAGE and INSPIRED by her STRENGTH. Each one of those prayers are heared by God and have given Hannah the strength to fight each and every day. THANK YOU ALL!!!! Please continue your prayers as Hannah NEEDS THEM DAILY!! Hannah had a restful day yesterday. She spent most of the day laying watching TV. She is beginning to develop some mouth sores and thrush which are all side effects of the chemo BUT do affect her ability to eat. Hannah has had some JAUNDICE the past few days and did have some blood in her urine, which has cleared. All of these symptoms are side effects of the chemo and radiation. Otherwise, Hannah continues to have GOOD DAYS with love and support from Mommy and Daddy & video phone conversations with Emily and Jacob. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK HANNAH!!! YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!

04/06/06 - OVERALL IT WAS A GOOD DAY FOR HANNAH!!! She completed the FIRST round of her bone marrow transplant. Hannah received her transplant around 2pm this afternoon. 5 minutes into the transplant Hannah's blood pressure went way up reaching 170/110 and her heart rate dropped down to the low 40's. Hannah was immediately given a hydrocortisone medication as she had a BAD REACTION to the preservative used in the frozen stem cells. She also had some blood in her urine, all normal reactions to this preservative. Tomorrow prior to the transplant she will be given some benedryl, demerol, hydrocortisone and tylenol in order to counteract this negative reaction. Otherwise Hannah was VERY TIRED today, she slept most of the day. Her appetite has decreased quite a bit aswell. Hannah is now also experiencing the side effects of the chemotherapy and radiation. It is taking a lot out of her. Karen and Steven have started there shift rotation. Karen spends the days with Hannah and Steve spends the nights. Because they are not able to sleep in the isolation room they stay at a nearby hotel to get some MUCH NEEDED REST and they aren't too far away if needed. Good luck again tomorrow Hannah our prayers are with you. MAY EACH DAY BE BETTER THAN THE ONE BEFORE!!!

04/05/06 - Today was Hannah's LAST DAY of conditioning. Tomorrow is TRANSPLANT DAY #1!!!!! This is VERY CRUCIAL in Hannah's recovery. She will receive 2 bags of frozen stem cells on Thursday and 2 on Friday. She is receiving MORE BONE MARROW in this transplant than the previous in hopes that the results will be better. Hannah's chemotherapy and radiation were SUCCESSFUL and she passed through them AMAZINGLY. Even suprising the doctors with her STRENGTH AND WILL. Her white blood cells have gone down to 0.4. Her platelets today were 49 and her hemoglobin 86. She is receiving blood transfusions about every 2 days. Still no apparent side effects from the chemotherapy. Hannah's skin is slightly red, similar to a sunburn BUT that is to be expected from the radiation. Tomorrow morning Hannah will be moving to the sterile transplant room. She will remain there until her blood levels start to improve and her polys are 0.5 or greater for a consecutive 3 days. The official test done to determine if the bone marrow transplant was effective does not take place until 30 DAYS POST TRANSPLANT. So we will not have those results until the first weekend in May. Until then Hannah will hopefully show signs of improvement and continue to progress to a FULL RECOVERY. If you had a chance to listen to the radio today on CFRB 1010 OR 97.3 EZ ROCK they were broadcasting live from Sick Kid's Hospital for their 20th annual radio telethon to raise money for Sick Kids. Karen and Steven were one of the families interviewed today and were able to share Hannah's story. The telethon will be going on for 3 days and MANY MORE stories will be shared from children and their families. If you would like to show your support and give to the Sick Kids Foundation or join the Miracle Club you can find more information at www.sickkidsradiothon.com. GOOD LUCK TOMORROW HANNAH!!! WE'RE ALL PRAYING FOR YOU!!!!

04/04/06 - Hannah has completed her 2nd day of radiation. Only 1 more to go. Hannah did AMAZINGLY WELL during her radiation sessions. She was able to lay still on her own and DID NOT require any sedation. Hannah was allowed a short break in between her front and back radiation which gave her a chance for a short cuddle and words of ENCOURAGEMENT!! Besides the DRASTIC MOOD SWINGS which are a result of the medication Hannah has been progressing well and her appetite has been increasing. Hannah continues to AMAZE US ALL. Just a short while ago doctors felt she may not even make it past the 2nd day of chemotherapy and LOOK AT HER NOW. Almost done all the conditioning and ready for her BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT on THURSDAY. YOU ARE GOING TO BEAT THIS HANNAH!! YOU HAVE PROVEN YOUR STRENGTH OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!

04/02/06 - SO FAR SO GOOD!!! Hannah has completed her 4 days of chemotherapy. So far the results have been GOOD! Her white count has dropped to 19 and she hasn't YET had any adverse side effects. According to the doctors the side effects don't usual appear till about 6 days after the treatment. Hannah has been up and about. Going out for walks in the hospital. Hannah's appetite has been improving with the medications. Hannah received her 3rd NEGATIVE test for VRE therefore she is no longer in isolation and can go all around the hospital with NO RESTRICTIONS. Once Hannah enters BMT on Thursday she will be restricted to the room again, but until then Hannah is enjoying the freedom. Hannah had a GREAT visit with Emily and Jacob today. She enjoyed the time spent with her brother and sister. Once Hannah goes into BMT the only contact she will have with them will be through the VIDEO PHONE at Grandma and Grandpa's. Hannah BEGINS her RADIATION tomorrow. She WILL BE receiving 20 minutes of FULL BODY RADIATION TWICE A DAY. 10 minutes on the front and 10 minutes on the back at 8am & 2pm daily for 3 days. Originally they were going to do everything except her lungs but examination of recent CAT scans showed small lesions on Hannah's lungs which the doctors feel may be dormant cancer cells. So they have decided to do the FULL BODY INCLUDING THE LUNGS. Hannah will have her feeds until 12am tonight then she will be on clear fluids until 5am and after that will be allowed nothing to eat or drink until the radiation is over. This is a PRECAUTION they will be taking in case Hannah is NOT ABLE to lay still for the radiation and needs to be put under anesthetic. Hannah was throwing up a bit this evening but continues to be STRONG. She has passed the FIRST HURDLE , ONCE AGAIN exceeding everyones EXPECTATIONS. You are REMARKABLE Hannah and have proven over and over again what STRENGTH and COURAGE and DETERMINATION you have to get better. Best of luck tomorrow, we will be praying that the next hurdle goes as well as the first. Sweet dreams, SWEETHEART. WE LOVE YOU!!