News from Erica: message from Erica

December 11, 2007

message from Erica

Hi everyone...I am out of the Hospital, my surgeon was hopeful that she got everything but there were some lymph nodes that she wasn't able to surgically remove. We will find out more when the pathology comes in...the stress is STILL not over!!!! Basically, I have some nerve damage under my right arm, so recovery will be a little more painful that most...But all the prayers will help...thank you everyone for all of your support! I am overwhelmed by everyone's concern! Thank you so much!!!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: Hello Doll,
This websight is so great! We live in such an awsome community with great people. You have so many people that love you and want you to heal and live big.
Your brothers and sisters and I love you and miss you.
MOM; 12/11/2007 10:11 PM
Anonymous said...: Erica:

I am glad to be able to track your recovery daily. Keep up you optimistic spirit, it will carry you a long way!
We are praying for you and for a speedy recovery!
With Lots of Love,
Aunt Kay & Uncle Pat; 12/12/2007 1:21 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi All! I have been feeling pretty good these last couple days! I did however get a stern talking to from my surgons nurse about overdoing it....so it looks like I am bann to the couch for a couple days...bummer....All im aloud to do is go to the Dr. and the bathroom! what kind of life is that? :( Anyways...Keep sending me goo thoughts! erica; 12/12/2007 7:47 PM

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A little history

23 year old Erica Tomsha was born and raised in Fairbanks. Parents Mark and Anita are also long time Alaskans. Anita’s grandparents (Carlson) moved to Kodiak in the 40’s to work on WWII construction projects. From there the lure of gold drew them to Fairbanks. Anita’s dad followed and opened up Music Mart in Fairbanks 60 years ago. Mark moved to Fairbanks in the early 70’s.

From an early age Erica shared her mothers passion for horses. Learning to ride when she was 4 she quickly figured out she had to make sure her pony knew she was the boss. In elementary school she joined the Golden Heart 4-H club to continue to learn. As she got older she expanded her perspective to include IHA, ACTA, IHC, Pony Club, 4-H community service and leadership activities. She was an active member of the Tanana Whirlwinds 4-H group in high school and helped to advocate for and pass the limited liability for livestock bill which helps to insure personal responsibility for accidents occurring around livestock animals. That exposure to politics led her to an internship with Senator Stevens.

After attending UAF for a couple of years she decided to move to California where she could pursue her dream of working with horses. She has been actively training horses and riders and enjoying being around magnificent Grand Prix horses.

Although Erica had to move to Seattle for her cancer treatment she has continued to work and learn, giving riding lessons and training horses. She moved into an apartment of her own. Her father has been able to stay with her through most of her chemotherapy. Erica has lost her hair from her treatments but does not try to hide it. She encourages people to ask her about her cancer and is anxious to share her experience in the hope of teaching or providing comfort to others.Erica remains positive and upbeat. She appreciates all the concern and well wishes from her friends.

From Erica on December 6th

I want people to know that I found a lump last December that was about the size of a pencil eraser. I went to the clinic the next day and the nurse told me it was probably nothing, and because of my age it was very unlikely that it was serious. So naturally i believed her, and I continued on with my life as usual. However, 6 months later the pencil eraser grew to be the size of a golf ball in a week! So I went back to that clinic and the same nurse agreed that I probably needed a biopsy! DUH! 2 days later the same nurse told me I had Invasive Ductile Carcinoma, (I found out later that I was a stage 3a, 4 is terminal), and she told me this while crying. 2 days after that I came to Seattle because not having insurance limits my care options in California, and plus Seattle has better cancer hospitals, unless you go to UCLA or SanFran and being 300 miles away is just as hard as being 1500 miles away from home.

Being here has really changed my life; it has forced me to live in a different way (I have learned a lot about myself), it has forced me to DRAMATICALLY change my diet (which is the most important thing a cancer patient can do). I have had to watch my spending, it's hard to work when you're getting chemo once a week. I am working a little, and in return my boss (whose ex husband I live with) pays my rent. But there are so many things that the charity care program at Swedish Hospital does not cover, such as supplements and alternative treatments like acupuncture, vitamin infusions, and the cancer vaccine. It also doesn't pay for things like reconstructive surgery (which unless I want to be the one boobed wonder I will need to get). I don't have the price for this yet but i will get it as soon as I can. I have also definitely learned who my real friends are, the ones who care.

News from Erica

December 11, 2007

message from Erica

3 comments:

Erica

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