News from Erica

December 13, 2007

Well I had a Dr. appt. today. I got a BRIEF overview of how my surgury went, I don't know all the facts yet, but I was told that that there were over 20 lymph nodes that were diseased. Origionally there were only thought to be 3-4. The situation has become a little more serious than we thought....I will know more on the 27th...this is the time to pray...

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: I'm sorry about the bad news, but keep your hopes up! We all are praying for you (and I know you are gonna get better!) and thinking about you this christmas. I can't wait to visit you next month. You are a good person Erica and a special friend.; 12/14/2007 12:34 PM
Anonymous said...: Well Im doing my best being on "Bed Rest" its not as easy as it sounds...i pretty much cleaned the entire house...my doctor would be very disappointed....:) anyways, have a good day all...; 12/14/2007 1:23 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Erica,

Thanks for keeping us posted on your recovery. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I am looking forward to spending a great Christmas holiday with you in Bellingham. Hang in there and please keep writing and letting us know how you are feeling, we are here for you!; 12/14/2007 5:14 PM
Anonymous said...: We're all thinking of you and miss you at the barn. Lots of hugs and bises --Moss, Peg and Moriah

(bises are those two sides of the cheek kisses that the French do!); 12/15/2007 9:12 AM
Becca said...: I am definetely thinking of you, especially at the barn, hoping you were there. Hope you are feeling better and I hope for the best for you in the upcoming future:); 12/15/2007 8:52 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 13, 2007

5 comments:

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