Hannah Holland

Update: It's with great sadness that we write this update. Hannah lost her battle with Canine Cancer on April 13, 2008. Without her struggles there would be no FETCH a Cure. She has left us a legacy of information and touched so many lives in her short 11.5 years. She will be truly missed by all.

Please help us find a cure. Having our pets taken from us so early is unacceptable.

•

Saint Bernard, 11.5 years old

July 2006, Hannah was diagnosed with nasal osteosarcoma of the skull with main concentration in her right nostril, a very aggressive bone cancerous tumor. Late May, Hannah developed pink-eye which was the first major sign of the cancerous tumor pushing against the eye; however, she showed symptoms earlier. Hannah had been sneezing, developing stuffiness and congestion with nasal discharge for about 6 months prior. Her primary veterinarian performed many tests thinking this was being caused by sinus or allergies.

With the development of the pink-eye, Hannah was sent to an ophthalmologist who pushed for a recommendation of a specialist. At this point, Hannah was seen by a small animal internist who performed many tests and biopsies which showed only a trace of cancer. At this point, Hannah was sent to a oncologist in Springfield, Virginia, Regional Veterinary Rfrrl Center, which was the closest clinic which has a certified oncologist and radiology department. Immediately Hannah was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer, based on the clinical review and x-rays. Hannah was given only a couple of months of quality without treatment. Radiation treatment was explained at the different levels, extensive and palliative, along with the need for a MRI and complete treatment program design. Expense and the commitment were also stressed as it would take much effort on everyone’s behalf.

Treatment was certainly the only course to take and we began immediately. Hannah had a MRI which showed the advancement of the disease and the protocol for radiation was suggested at the palliative level which would help with the symptoms and pain, but a cure. Based on the recommendation of the oncologist we proceeded immediately. We researched all the avenues that were out there and in conjunction with the radiation and suggested clinical treatments, we began “eastern” medicines and nutrition programs. Hannah continued with the radiation for several weeks along with seeing the holistic veterinarian weekly for acupuncture, herbs and nutrition development. Hannah in the beginning slowed and was extremely tired, but with all the attention around continued to strengthen. Hannah lost all her hair in the field of radiation on her face and forehead which has now begun to grow back. Her eyes have been the most challenging with this treatment as they have dried and we have had a couple surgeries to repair the damage of the radiation field. Her eyes continue to get better, every day. After radiation treatment we have begun with intense herbal supplements with her diet along with a daily low dose of chemotherapy to try to maintain the success of the radiation and continue the fight.

Hannah as a whole has done very well throughout all this trauma and we feel it is a balance between the western traditional medicine and the eastern and holistic medicines along with great nutrition and the love around her. She nor we are willing to give up.

Hannah will soon start a new treatment with a drug called pamidronate, which is a not proven but has shown success in bone cancer in the areas of pain, bone strengthening, and increasing immune systems. We will continue to find ways to make it the very best for Hannah and have the very best of the days to come.

With all the efforts of everyone, we are very thankful of all medical fields to help us fight cancer.