Monday, August 27, 2007

Getting Ready for Surgery

Happy Monday!

I am spending a quiet day at home getting ready for tomorrow. Since it's an abdominal surgery, there is some prep work involved (clearing out my system) and I am on a clear liquid diet all day today. I'm trying not to get too anxious and I'm keeping my activity pretty low key as I cannot eat anything.


My surgery is scheduled to start at 12:15pm tomorrow and should take about 4 hours. Christian and I will head up to Johns Hopkins early tomorrow, so we can be there for check in at 10:15 am. My parents are planning to meet us at the hospital tomorrow morning and my family can be with me until I go into the OR.

After surgery, I will be in intensive care overnight and then regular inpatient care through Friday when I will be discharged to home. The surgery and my subsequent hospital stay will be in the Weinberg Building of the hospital (same as during treatment).

I am nervous and anxious about tomorrow, but I am also ready to go ahead and get surgery over with. I am looking forward to recovering from this surgery and returning to some of the normal things in life.

Thanks for your continued support and prayers!!

Love,

Erica

3 comments:

Mary said...

We're all thinking of you as you prepare for surgery and this last leg of the treatment marathon.
Love,
Mary

Kim said...

Hi Erica, I had hoped to call you but with having to go back to school, it's been a little hectic. But I wanted you to know I am thinking about you all the time. You are always in my prayers (as are Christian and your family), but you will be EXTRA-COVERED in prayer Tues. during your surgery time! I am anxious for you, but I am sooooo excited that this will be just a small speed bump on your road to recovery and a cancer-free life!
Love you tons,
Kim D.

Inger said...

Hello Erica...

You are currently having your surgery. I have been thinking about you all day.

I pray that God would guide the doctors right now as they opperate, that all of the cancer would be extracted, that healing will be smooth and quick and that you would see this miracle unfolding.

What a huge blessing to have responded so well to treatment, and to be able to have this surgery to day. Many prayers have been heard and answered.

Lots and lots of love to you as you continue to recover.

Sincerely,

Inger

Team Erica to Run/Walk with Melanoma International Foundation

A smaller Team Erica will head to Villanova, PA for Melanoma International Foundation's (MIF) Safe in the Sun Walk & 5K Run on April 5, 2009.

MIF will also honor Erica by rewarding the top female finisher with an award in Erica's name. Team Erica will be on hand to congratulate the winner.

Anyone is welcome to join Team Erica. For more information, visit: http://melanomaintl.org/.

Team Erica

Congratulations Team Run for Erica!

Team Run for Erica completed the Baltimore Relay Marathon on Saturday, October 11th. The team raised over $1000 for both melanoma organizations (Melanoma International Foundation and Melanoma Research Foundation).

Thank you Team Run for Erica on an awesome race and thank you to those who donated. Below are a few pictures of the team in action!

Team Run for Erica (minus Omar)

Omar getting ready to run

Mary, Chandra and Liz finish their 6 miles

Star and Christian run for the crowd

Tony and Jaime waving to the crowd

Team Run for Erica after the marathon (minus Jenny and Jaime)

Team Erica to run Baltimore Relay Marathon, October 11th

In Memory of Erica....

Baltimore Relay Marathon
Saturday, October 11, 2008, 8:00 AM
http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/

Team Erica relay runners: Christian, Chandra, Jason, Kelly, Jim, Liz, Tony, Mary, Jason, Jenny, Jaime, Omar, and Star are training together Sunday mornings.

What can you do?

Support the team members with lots of encouragement
Make a pledge to a runner or the whole team (donations will be sent to the Melanoma International Foundation)
Go to Baltimore on October 11 to cheer the team on.

Watch the blog for more information to come!!

Erica's Tree @ Upton Hill

Erica's Tree @ Upton Hill
Look how Erica's tree is growing and blooming!

Upton Hill Memorial to Erica

Upton Hill Memorial to Erica
Erica's crepe myrtle tree by the batting cages at Upton Hill Regional Park, Arlington, VA

Plaque dedicating tree in Erica's memory

Plaque dedicating the tree in Erica's memory

A week before admission to Hospice

A week before admission to Hospice
What a beautiful smile!

March 26: Liz, Star, Chandra, Erica and Kelly

March 26: Star, Chandra and Erica

March 12-13: Erica and Christian...check out those smiles!

With Uncle David

Dad, Mom, Erica, Megan, Heather, Chase and Uncle Bill