CUMMING, Ga. -- Hannah Rinehart's family was at her bedside early
Wednesday morning as the 32-year-old gave in to her struggle with a rare
bacterial infection.
"We sang to her," said Rinehart's brother Michael Johnson. "We prayed
with her and we told her we loved her. Then she went to be with the
Lord."
After beating cancer three times, Hannah Rinehart contracted a
bacterial infection that her body couldn't survive. The infection is
commonly found in the saliva of dogs. Doctors believe it was Hannah's
own one year old puppy that infected her, possibly transmitting the
bacteria through a bite.
Surgeons removed Hannah's feet and hands in an attempt to save her.
At one point it appeared the 32-year-old might triumph over death once
again.
In July her condition deteriorated.
"My sister had unquestionable faith," said Johnson. "That's not to
say she didn't get scared. But she took all the pain and she was willing
to accept it."
On a web page dedicated to Rinehart's struggle, her husband wrote,
"Hannah Johnson Rinehart went to be with the Lord. She is celebrating,
and I am thankful for God allowing me to have the privilege of being her
husband while she was here on this Earth."
As the 32-year-old battled the infection, friends and strangers
rallied around her and her family. There were fund raisers. Mark
Rinehart's co-workers in the Gwinnett County school system offered him
their unused sick time so he could spend more time at his wife's side.
School administrators were still considering whether or not to let that
happen when Hannah passed away.
"She's not with us, but she's not lost," said Hannah's brother. "I'll see her again someday."
WXIA