Welcome to our Caring Bridge website, and thank you for your care and concern for Erin! We are using this tool to keep family and friends updated in one place and to provide opportunities for loved ones to share and provide support however they can.
Erin was diagnosed with a complex cancerous tumor in mid-August of 2023. Treatment is complicated because of the size, location, and trajectory of the tumor. The doctors have made a decision to treat the tumor with an aggressive mixture of radiation, chemotherapy and upon the hopeful shrinking of the tumor, surgery to remove and repair impacted organs and regions. Erin’s team of doctors describes the upcoming months as a marathon not a sprint. Anyone who has experienced cancer treatment understands this analogy. Erin is very confident that the treatment will be effective and is extremely grateful for the wonderful community support she has already received from friends and family.
The upcoming months will require Erin to concentrate fully on beating this terrible diagnosis. Erin has determined that she will dedicate the coming months to treatment and wellness. What does this look like for Erin? In early September she will undergo 6 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy with a slight break and then another number of months of more intense chemotherapy. The radiation and chemotherapy will have a cumulative impact that will likely result in increasing pain, fatigue and numerous other side effects.
Because of the nature of the therapy Erin will be unable to work in her former capacity for the foreseeable future. While Erin is fortunate to have great insurance and a supportive family, a workplace that supports a medical leave of absence, a diagnosis like this will obviously place a huge financial strain on her everyday life and emotional well-being. In addition to the ongoing expenses required to support herself and her daughter, Erin will now have to incur travel costs for treatment, medical copays and medical equipment.
Always at the forefront of Erin’s mind is her future with her daughter and being there as her daughter matures into an adult. Erin is also anxious to resume her passions in both her professional and personal life which includes helping and supporting others. Her devotion to community-based services is evident in her professional life with the clients she works for and in her personal life, her many community service endeavors.
Please stay tuned for updates and ways you can show your support. you can also click on the 'Ways to Help' tab and donate to her gofundme page. We ask that you resist the urge to reach out to Erin directly. Rather, leave brief, encouraging comments on this site, knowing she’ll be reading them all. Thank you in advance for giving Erin the space she needs to do her best healing! Thank you!
"When you want something- all the universe conspires to help you achieve it!" Thanks for being a part of Erin's universe.
Hi there! Thanks for checking in! We apologize for the communication lag and sure do appreciate the concern and inquiries re: Erin's progress.
Cancer knows no bounds, it seems, and Erin's is no exception. She completed a rigorous chemo regimen with the expectations of some weeks of regaining strength and weight. It's been more of a challenge than we expected, as pain management and strength and weight gain have been on a collision course.
However, we are pleased to report that her pain is now under control and she's feeling much better after a tough week. Today is her birthday, and we've been serving her birthday cake, smash burgers, oatmeal, smoothies of varying descriptions, etc., in preparation for next steps. Please add that to the continued love and support that have been so very appreciated by us all.
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