Her Carry Spotlight: Hannah

I am so excited to introduce Hannah, our second Her Carry Spotlight interview! Hannah is a Master’s student at the University of Indiana, a huge football fan, dog mom, self-described hobby maniac, and she is two years into continued remission from leukemia. She shares some insights into how she maintains a positive attitude in the midst of challenges, her top advice for young girls, and introduces her dog, Rockney.

Sarah: Hi, Hannah!

Hannah: Hello!

Sarah: So, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hannah: Yes, so I am Hannah, and I am 24 years old, will be 25 next month. I just graduated from Indiana University; I got a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Biology, and currently I am getting my Master’s at the IU School of Medicine in Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology. Most importantly, I am now two years clean of leukemia. It’s called ‘continued remission,’ but I won’t be fully in remission for another three years.

Sarah: I didn’t know there’s a time frame required to be considered in remission.

Hannah: Yeah, and I don’t know if that’s for every type of cancer, or if it’s just blood cancers. I’m not entirely sure. But yeah, it’s a five year contract unfortunately.

Sarah: So far, so good along that path, I guess.

Hannah: Yeah.

Sarah: And you were a senior at IU when they went to the national championship, right?

Hannah: Yes! Yes, so that’s actually… so I was 22 when I was diagnosed, and that was my junior year of college. I had to take a year off because I had a bone marrow transplant and there was absolutely no way I could have gone back to school. But then last year was my first year back and it was the year that IU won the championship, which was the coolest thing ever because I’m a huge football fan. I love IU, even prior to them being good. I was there when there was nobody there, wearing a “Ohio State Sucks” shirt because I am just so passionate about IU. So that was… I don’t want to say it made what I went through almost worth it to take a year off and then graduate the same year as we won the championship, but it was nice. It was kind of a cool coincidence, I guess.

Sarah: Yeah. It was a big year for you last year. And you are getting your Masters, if we can go back to that. You’re at the IU School of Medicine. What are your goals as far as future careers and what you want to do?

Hannah: So I always, funny enough, I always wanted to go into pediatric oncology hematology. I have always said that cancer is very interesting as a science and as biology, the way that it affects the body, the way it grows, I’ve always found interest in that. And I also know that in the cancer world it takes the right people, and I truly feel that I can be one of those people, just with my experiences and some of the clubs I’ve been in and volunteering that I’ve done. But then when I was diagnosed, I was given a three month prognosis, and it really put things into perspective, almost. I didn’t know if I wanted to do five more years of school and residency, and fellowship if I needed to do that, when life is so incredibly short. I want to be able to travel, I want to be able to have a thousand dogs, and just have a good work-life balance. And a lot of the physicians I’ve talked to, especially in the oncology world, they don’t have that work-life balance. So when I was in the hospital getting my bone marrow transplant, I had the most amazing Physician Assistant. She is just absolutely incredible. I feel like she’s truly one of the first people I could look up to as a role model. And, you know, she has the best life, and she makes an impact on her patients, but she also has a good life outside of her job, which I feel like I value more now. So I think I’m headed towards the PA route after I get my Masters.

Sarah: Yeah that’s great, and you have the right personality for it too, working with kids. Weren’t you a volunteer with a group for years, right, that works with kids who are going through cancer treatment?

Hannah: I am a camp counselor for a non-profit organization called Camp Kesem. It’s actually kids whose parents have had, or have, cancer. So I got to see that side of the story, I get to see the patient’s side of the story, plus I was a patient care tech at the hospital in Bloomington, so I got to see that side of it. On top of that I also volunteered for an organization called Royal Encounters, and we would dress up as princesses and superheroes, and go visit sick kids. So I feel like I’ve seen all perspectives of the story. I feel like it’s my destiny, it’s my calling to continue in that field.

Sarah: Well you’re also just, you’re literally the most joyful person that I have ever met. Not only is that perfect for going into medicine, when that’s really what people need so often, but I also wanted to ask how you stay joyful and upbeat and positive. Because I met you when you were going through treatment, that was the first time I met you. And even then you were just a joyful, grateful person, and I wanted to see what advice you have for people as far as how you do that and how you keep positive in really challenging times.

Hannah: You know, I get this question a lot, and I guess when it was all happening, I didn’t ever think I was being positive or think I was seeing things on the brighter side. I guess it’s just kind of how I approach life, in a way. Don’t get me wrong, I have my moments. But I was so incredibly grateful to have such a good support system between my friends, my family, my boyfriend, my boyfriend’s family, and my medical team. My medical team, they became my second family as well. And I think that is truly something that helped me stay so positive and optimistic for what was to come. And, I know that people have it harder than I, and I needed to be grateful for what I had at that time. My neighbor in the hospital, my hospital roommate, he was a few years older than me, and he unfortunately didn’t make it past his diagnosis. And I have another friend who I met on social media. That’s another thing, people my age don’t get leukemia, so it’s hard to find those connections. But I met this girl on social media and she unfortunately passed away also from leukemia. So it’s like, yeah, my situation sucks, but it could be worse. It always could be worse. So why not take what I have now and be grateful for it? And I know that’s not the best advice because there’s times when it’s like “Ah, could things get worse than they are now?” but it could. It could. So I think that’s truly how I went about it.

Sarah: You also said that it gave you a different perspective, right, on how short and how fragile life is. That’s gotta be something that you understand way better than you ever have before, and better than most of us.

Hannah: Yeah, good ways and bad ways. My boyfriend can tell you better than anybody, I am very much like “you only life once, we gotta experience everything right now. And if we don’t experience it right now, we’ll never get the opportunity again, even if it’s next week. We gotta do it right now!” You know, I live life on the “you could die tomorrow” type metaphor. And I want to do everything and experience everything. But also, it is nice to have that perspective sometimes. Even when I was in school and if I did bad on an exam, I would kind of have to recenter myself and think “hey, life is short. This exam does not define you. Life is so incredibly short, and it could have, unfortunately, this is a little morbid, but it could have ended back in 2024. And you are here, you’re in school, you’re taking exams, you’re studying, you’re doing what you can. This one exam is minor compared to everything else in the world.” So you kind of see two sides of it.

Sarah: And we are all so happy that you’re here, of course, and you really are one of the most impressive and resilient people that I’ve ever met. But that’s for a lot of reasons, and not just for your journey with cancer. So, what can you tell us about the other parts of you? Your goals and your hobbies, and everything else that makes you who you are?

Hannah: Oh goodness. Well as I mentioned, I am an alumni of it, but Camp Kesem is something that has carried me so much of not only my cancer journey, my college career, I’ve met my bestest friends, I’ve met the best kids and families. And it really helped me grow as a person and learn how to communicate, and learn that there can be a space where you can talk about hard things, but then smile, you know. We can have these safe places where both can exist. And it’s crazy because these kids and I have completely different stories. My parents have never had cancer, and the kids themselves have never had cancer. But it’s almost like we can bounce off of each other with the experiences, even though they are so different and even though they’re ten years, twelve years younger than me. I feel like Camp Kesem is a big part of who I am. Also, I am a hobby maniac, I think. I do everything and anything, whether that’s sewing, polymer clay, Cricut, painting, the list could go on forever. I love to read, I love decorating for every holiday. I just love doing all of that. And I have such a passion for science. My favorite subject is chemistry, and more than anything, I want to make a difference in the world. I know that’s so cliche to say, but truly even if it’s just for one or two people, with science and with medicine, I want to be a person that people can rely on, but also find answers. Let’s find the root cause of this. Talk to me, let’s figure this out. I’m not just somebody who is here to listen to you and send you on your way. I want to know everything. And I guess I’m very grateful for the passions that I have and the student that I am and the way that my parents raised me to be the student that I am. That’s really my life. School, crafts, and being a camp counselor.

Sarah: And Rockney.

Hannah: And my most amazing, precious dog in the whole world. He’s my soul dog. He has been with me for five years. I do everything with him. If you have me, you have my dog: we go together. I would be completely lost without him. That’s another reason why I want to be good at science. I have to find out a way to make him live forever. So I feel like that’s the only way I can do it, is if I do it myself.

Sarah: That’s the next step. I’ve got my dogs too, so they can be next on the list after Rockney. Do you have Rockney so he can be on camera?

Hannah: Rocko, can they see you? I just bought him a football toy today. Rockney, say hi! He looks a little homeless right now because I want him to have a little manbun so I’m growing it out. He’s my entire world. So many moments of my life I feel like have happened because of him. And I was able to do it because of him. He helps me in ways that I will never be able to articulate.

Sarah: And you were able to get graduation photos with him, right?

Hannah: YES! Oh my goodness. [Rachel] actually took my graduation pictures. Rockney was able to come and I decorated his cap, I got him a little cap and I decorated it. And they’re the cutest pictures. I’m just so happy that we got to capture that moment, because he’s my college dog. I got him my first year at Bloomington. So it’s literally been him and I against the world.

Sarah: You guys have gone through some times too.

Hannah: We have. We really have. And I truly thought I was gonna start a revolt there when I was at the hospital because when I was first diagnosed, we didn’t know what was happening. We though they were gonna tell us that the original doctor was wrong and we were gonna be sent on our way. Turned out I was there for a little over a month without my dog. That was the longest I’ve ever gone without my dog. My boyfriend’s mom was like “well I can bring him to Indy and put him outside the window and she can look at him from the window.” People were bringing in pictures of him, I got a little stuffed animal of him, and then one of my friends from Kesem got me a little build-a-bear with his bark in it. Like I said, if you know me you know Rockney.

Sarah: And if you know Rockney, you love Rockney.

Hannah: Exactly.

Sarah: There’s two questions that I want to ask everybody at the end, and then I’ll let you get on with your evening. But one of the big things that Her Carry is about is empowering women. Obviously we are a concealed carry clothing brand, but carrying a firearm is not the only way to be confident, and to feel empowered. So what is it that makes you feel powerful and capable and empowered in your own life?

Hannah: I would say being educated. And not just in school, but with politics, or with climate change, or anything. I want to be educated enough to protect myself. The law, anything, so I can protect myself. I think that’s one of the easiest ways. I don’t have to go get a black belt, I don’t have to go to the gym every day and be jacked or anything to physically protect myself. But mentally I think it’s super important for women to stay in the know, stay educated, know your rights, know what’s right, know what’s wrong. I really think that our brains are very important and very special and we should use them for what they’re capable of.

Sarah: Love that. Knowledge is power.

Hannah: Yes.

Sarah: And the other question that I wanted to ask you - you volunteer a lot with younger teen and pre-teens and everything. So if you could give young girls who are just figuring out who they are and figuring out their place in life, any one piece of advice, what would it be?

Hannah: I actually heard this a few weeks ago and I wish I would have heard it a lot sooner in life. Because sometimes I am not the nicest to myself, in different aspects of my life, whether that is I struggled in school, or I struggled in athletics in high school, or I struggle with my health, whatever. I would always compare that to somebody else like “oh it’s not as bad as them though",” “Oh it could be worse, though,” whatever. And something that I heard is “Whether you are drowning in a puddle, or you’re drowning in the ocean, you’re still drowning.” Give yourself credit. Give yourself the empathy that you deserve. And I think that’s probably not the most fun piece of advice, but I still think it’s very powerful and I wish I would have heard it a lot sooner in my life.

Sarah: I love that, especially nowadays with everything being publicized on social media, you’re always comparing yourself to everybody else. And I think people, especially women, struggle a lot with giving themselves the empathy that they give other people. Great advice.

Sarah: You mentioned earlier that you hope to make a difference in people’s lives. And I hope you know this, but you already do make a difference in so many people’s lives. And we are all so happy to know you and I am really grateful that you were able to chat with us tonight and I appreciate all of your words of advice.

Hannah: Yeah well thank you so much for thinking of me. Truly I’m so honored to be a part of this little ‘Girls Club’ that we’ve got, with strong, strong women, I love it!

Check out Camp Kesem and all the great work they are doing at the following link:
https://www.kesem.org/

Our previous Spotlight was Kori, a veteran and dedicated volunteer with Equine Valor Project. You can read her interview here: https://www.hercarryapparel.com/blog/her-carry-spotlight-kori

We will be back soon with another Her Carry Spotlight interview! We will be hearing from women of all walks of life who protect, serve, build, lead, overcome, create, and make their communities stronger.

Please reach out to me at hello@hercarryapparel.com, 414-433-7679 or at https://www.hercarryapparel.com/contact if you or any ladies you know would like to be featured!