By Anna Skinner
On April 15, Cari Hahn received the news that thousands of women receive each year. She had luminal B bilateral breast cancer which would require a double lumpectomy, double radiation and eight weeks of chemotherapy.
But Cari, her husband Matt and their twin daughters weren’t alone in the fight.
“The support system has really been wonderful,” Matt said. “She’s had so much support through the City of Westfield. These people are like family. They’ve been wonderful from the mayor on down.
Northview Church, where the Hahns attend, also has aided the family, as has the Indianapolis Fire Dept. where Matt works.
Perhaps the most generous donation of all is from the city. Cari is Mayor Andy Cook’s executive assistant. Despite receiving chemotherapy, she still works full time. City employees have banded together to donate more than 1,400 hours of vacation time for to use when she needs time off.
“My doctors basically said if you maintain normal activities that’s going to help you through this,” Cari said. “I think I work through it because I have a sense of commitment, because they (city employees) are my support. I think that’s been a big part of why I want to be at work.”
In addition to the donated hours, the city also donated a ‘basket of sunshine’ to Cari. The basket included all things yellow: Big Bird slippers, Subway gift cards, a feathered boa, wine glasses and more. City employees don doo-rags every Friday, mayor included, to show support for Cari.
“Our heart has been so opened,” Matt said. “I’ve always felt we can tackle anything, we can do anything, but you get humbled really quick. With Cari, she’s tough, she’s a warrior, but all of a sudden you realize you’re human, and people start reaching out out of the blue. It’s overwhelming.”
Cari’s primary strength is arguably her attitude. Her office is decorated with bright colors and frames with positive messages.
“I could go through this and have a really bad attitude, or I could be grateful that I have a very curable cancer,” she said. “I think you have to be very hopeful. I think you have to have a positive attitude. I think it makes a big difference.”
Family humor also plays a part.
“Humor is the only way to get through anything in life,” Matt said. “If you don’t have a sense of humor, it’s just going to overwhelm you. That’s the real prize. Cari really just went through this with a smile on her face.”
While laughing, Matt said the family isn’t late for church anymore because Cari doesn’t have to do her hair.
Cari’s chemotherapy ends this month. She will then begin radiation therapy. Life will begin to take a normal appearance again, but the Hahns realize life doesn’t stop because of cancer. They’ve made sure to include their 13-year-old daughters in that realization.
“We have had very honest conversations with them,” Cari said.
“We treated them like adults,” Matt said. “As a husband, it’s very humbling. All I want to do is take that away from her, but we have two twin 13-year-old girls, they have cheerleading … life doesn’t stop because of the cancer. Cari is not letting this define her.”
Meet the Hahns
Family: Matt, 45, Cari, 41, Grace and Carly both 13.
Marriage: Been married for 17 years.
Hobbies: Bike rides, going to Massachusetts Avenue, watching the girls cheer at Clay Middle School in Carmel, attending church. Grace and Carly volunteer at Pals for Paws.
Pets: Dogs: Marmaduke and Gus Gus. Cat: Monkey.
