Friday, March 14, 2008

Hope, Faith and Courage

Hello to my ever-wonderful friends and family and also to those of you whom I don't know personally, but continue to keep up with me and my story on this blog.
I want to say thank you to everyone, because I feel so much positive energy and love all around me.

This past month has been quite a challenge for me both physically and emotionally. I am concentrating on overcoming these challenges in many ways, and am really drawing from the knowledge, expertise and compassion of my medical/oncological team. We have been working really hard over the past couple of weeks to manage my pain, which in turn has helped to ease my stress. Pain is a burden...it is a horrible, nasty thing that needs to be addressed and taken care of.

It was a little hard for me at first to let go of my stereotypes and preconceptions about pain management in order for me to find the right balance of medications. This week, I am much more comfortable overall and am now able to draw on my inner strength to help me cope and to redirect all of my energy into my renewed fight against this crazy cancer.
I am learning new things about myself everyday and I know that I have the hope, faith and courage to enter this battle head on.
I will enlist each and everyone of you to join me as I begin to make this long, arduous journey back to health, fighting each and every fight as it comes my way.

Thank you and please keep those positive thoughts and prayers coming.
Love,
Erica

14 comments:

Karen said...

We love you Erica, enjoy your time with your family this weekend!! Thinking of you lots and praying for your health. GREAT seeing you last weekend, thank you for coming :)
love,
Karen

Unknown said...

hey erica,
we continue to send all the love, support, and good thoughts that we can muster up! glad to hear you're a little more comfy this week. know that you have all of us behind you, fighting together!
love, nei and RC & the dulles soccer crew

Mary said...

You are not alone on this journey. Never give up. We love you and Alex can't wait to meet you!
Love,
Mary

Stacie said...

Susan and I enjoyed visiting with you last week. I hope you are having a good weekend with your family. I'll call you this week. You are a fighter Erica, and I am so amazed by your strength!
Love, Stacie

lizcheney said...

Hi Erica, this is Liz Cheney (formerly Roslewicz) from your Upton Hill Days! I've spent a few hours reading this blog all they way to the beginning after John Graver sent it to me. Hope, faith, and courage couldn't say it all any better!! I'm so happy that you have so much love and support around you and will be praying for you and passing on this blog to everyone in my world for them to pray. I randomly signed up to do a 2 day breast cancer walk this spring and will be thinking of you on every training walk that I do. I pray daily that someone can figure out how to wipe out this terrible disease. I'm sure you know this, but you are one of those unforgettable people, as soon as I saw the email from John I couldn't believe it was really true. Much love to you and your family and keep up the great fight! We need more people like you in this world! Liz

Unknown said...

Your spirit inspires me Erica!

love-sam

Shankster said...

Hi Erica:

Your dad is my supervisor at FDA. I just wanted to let you know that I am praying 4 you. I am believer in Jesus Christ and I know that He is still in the miracle working business and your BLOG and story are a great source of encouragement to me.

God Bless!!
Anna P. Shanklin (aka Shankster)

jen palmieri said...

Hi Erica, we are thinking of you often (little things at work make me think of you -- most kind and considerate co-worker ever!)and pray for you and your family on a daily basis. love, jen and family

Danielle said...

I am so happy to hear from you my dear!It is a good sign that you are up to posting on your blog. You are amazing...keep up the great work sweetie!
I have something to send to you but I need your mailing address! I am sending you an email...hopefully you can get to it and email me back w/you address. Thanks!
love you!
Danielle

JCJLGraver said...

Erica,
Stay strong. You are a tough woman who knows no different.
Love,
John, Claudia, Jake & Luke Graver

DeeBananas said...

Hey, Erica!

Your blog and words are very inspiring. You're an amazing woman! I've always known you to be so upbeat and caring for others. I'm so glad to know that you're a fighter too! :)

Stay strong!

Love,
~Deanna

PS I hope you had a Happy Easter. I'm sure you spent it with your family all around you. :)

Upton Hillbillies said...

Hi Erica,

Some of your friends from Upton Hill have joined together to make a blog in your honor. Please check it out when you get a chance:

http://fundcancerresearch.blogspot.com

Sending you strength, you are in our thoughts.
The Upton Hillbillies
and Jen Settle-Stainton

Mary said...

The Upton Hillbillies blog is heartwarming and fantastic! (I never worked there, but did loiter quite a bit at the batting cages when Erica worked!) What a wonderful thing to do in honor of an equally wonderful person.

Thinking of you, Erica -- Alex and I are planning our first road trip :)

Love,
Mary

Anonymous said...

Erica,

Just to let you know we think about you every day. We send you our love and prayers. I can't tell you how special you are to us. I continue to see you whole and perfect again. Be strong and know that you are not alone.
Love Diane Dehart

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