Welcome to my CaringBridge website. I am using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. I appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "You have cancer." On November 20, 2013, while living in Philadelphia, I heard the words no one wants to hear. Honestly, I don't remember much of what the doctor said after that. Bladder. Treatment. Surgery. Words swirled. When I could make sense of it all, I would understand that my case was atypical. Bladder cancer is typically a disease diagnosed in white men, in their early 70's, who smoked the majority of their lives. I am an African-American woman, in my 40s who has never smoked a cigarette. Nothing about my diagnosis would be typical. Which perhaps was a foreshadowing of what was to come.
For the next 3 years I would go thru one "typical" treatment after another- BCG treatments and surgery . Each time, the treatment or surgery would be "successful" for a time, only to have the tumors return. Finally, after being subjected to surgery and/or treatment almost every three months, I had a reprieve - a one year break when no tumors returned.
So we thought.
I returned to the hospital in March of this year, only to discover that not only had the tumors returned, but they had spread. Again. Atypical. I would go on to have chemo, which made me uncharacteristically ill. Then immuno-therapy, which made me uncharacteristically ill. In fact, for the last 6 months, I have been hospitalized 10 times - not for "typical" complications, but for unidentifiable fevers and infections.
And the journey continues....
At the end of this month, I will begin chemotherapy again and will keep you updated via this Caring Bridge site, so please stay connected.
In the meantime, I would appreciate your prayers and encouragement. Here are some ways you can pray: * the elimination of the tumors in my lungs * physical strength and energy as I deal with the side effects of the new chemo * parents' strength as they care for me * finances
Thank you again for your prayers and support. Erica
Sharon & I cannot begin to express the gratitude we have for all of you - your prayers, cards, letters, food, flowers and social media well wishes in the loss of our daughter, Erica Lynn.We have been flooded with your kindness & generosity as we mourn her loss, but celebrate her life & homegoing.
Your prayers have increased our faith. Your words have encouraged our hearts. Your presence has given us an arm to lean on.The burden that seemed so heavy is much lighter now, because of your care and concern for us.You have truly been the “hands and feet of Jesus” in our lives during this difficult time.
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