Editor Note: Each June, the Journey into Womanhood program hosts a celebration where all the girls showcase thier talents in public speaking, dancing, singing, creative writing etc... This year Gabby a 7th grade student touched the audience with a moving story about her best friend Hannah and her battle with cancer. The entire JIW family came to know Hannah through Gabby's story at the banquet. On Saturday, October 9, Hannah Broomer lost her battle with cancer. We dedicate this blog post, to the memory of a brave little girl who showed us all the importance of persaverance, tenacity, humor and brought such joy to the Journey into Womanhood family. Below is a transcript of Gabby's speech at the 6th Annual Journey Into Womanhood Banquet.
When my friend Ashton and I called at 4:10 February 19th Hannah’s grandmother answered, we asked to speak to Hannah because she wasn’t at school Mrs. Nona (her grandma) said Hannah is having an operation!!!!!!!!!!! Once I heard that I cried to death, I couldn’t stop, I couldn’t breathe, I was that hurt I felt like a belly button cord ripped out of my stomach. Hannah is the first friend I ever had that cares and helps me with a lot of things. That day we found out that she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer. That type of cancer is the most common soft tissue tumor in children. Hannah is a STRAIGHT A student and well behaves, that doesn’t deserve this but good thing that it is a treatable cancer. But I hate the side effects. The Tumor is located behind her nose by her eye, she losing weight; she has a black eye because of her medicine that’s making her healthy again. One day on Sunday, March 21, 2010 9:38 PM,
It got very very emotional for Hannah. When Mrs. Brommer (her momma) brushed her hair after Hannah’s shower a lot of her hair started to come out. She was very distraught so Shelby (her sis), Jeff (her dad) and her momma just held her while she cried. When her mom tried brushing her hair before church they noticed it had matted into a tangled knot so her mom put it into a ponytail the best she could. Their hairdresser, Jerri, offered to cut it for her but Hannah just wasn't ready. Now Hannah had no other choice. No amount of conditioner would untangle the hair. So that afternoon, after a lot tears, Hannah let her momma cut it. Her sister and daddy held her hands while she did the best job a dental hygienist can do at cutting hair. She actually kind of liked it short and is thinking about getting a short wig now, although I hope Hannah won't worry about that...because we love her just the way she is.
Now if you have any questions about dealing with a friend or family members dealing with cancer, just ask me because now I know what it feels like to have someone very close to you that you love going through this nasty pain.
ALWAYS SAY SOMETHING FROM THE MY HEART. my best friend Hannah is a survivor, and she is here today to show her love and support for me and I would like to acknowledge her at this time.
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