You Never Know

As many of you know, last year I was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. It came upon me so suddenly and was totally unexpected. I'm young, just had a baby, and never thought anything like this would ever happen to me.

Yet it did—and I found myself in a circumstance with so many unknowns. There was much uncertainty and confusion around what would happen to me. Would I make it through this? Would I live to see my child grow up? How long did I have? What did I need to do to beat this? What started it? How did this happen? Would I be able to live a normal life anymore?

There were hundreds of questions, worries, and concerns that plagued my mind day and night and took me down the rabbit hole called google. I would read, research and find stories of other people going through something similar, which would bring on a tidal wave of more questions and feelings of—well everything. I didn't know I could feel so many things at once. But I did. I was up and down and all around.

Working with my doctors to come up with a treatment plan definitely helped some of the anxiety, but there was still so much up in the air that we just had to get through one day at a time. I feel immensely blessed from the hundreds of people who reached out, sent me gifts, brought me dinner, prayed for me, or served me and my family in any way. These generous and kind acts of service were so effective in helping me to get through the battle for my life.

Exactly a year ago I was undergoing chemotherapy. The "Red Devil” chemo as it is notoriously nicknamed. It's a really nasty chemo that I'll talk more about another time. I'm truly amazed and grateful that I'm here a year later, alive and well, writing this newsletter! There are still many questions and unknowns for what the future will bring. Yet I am optimistic and faithful that I will continue to experience more of what life has to offer, and I appreciate on a deeper level every day that goes by that I get to be alive.

Struggles and tragedies can strike at any moment to any person. Life can be cut short, or life can bring long term challenges. It's not something any of us can control.

My heart is currently aching for a sweet young wife and 3 children who recently lost their husband and father in a horrific accident. It was so out of the blue and sudden. No warning or any indication that something like this would ever happen. They were from the same small town I went to high school in. The struggle and pain, the loss and uncertainty that she and her young children must be going through is truly heartbreaking.

Moral of the story: Don't wait to tell the people in your life that you love them. Give hugs, make memories, let go of useless grudges, smile and laugh, play with your kids, text someone a compliment, express gratitude to the people in your life. You never know what tomorrow will bring, so let's love on the people in our lives a little bit harder. It will fill our hearts in the exact way that they are needing to be filled.

You never know what life will bring your way.

With that, I want to thank you for reading. I want you to know that you are loved. You are amazing. You do so much good for this world. Keep adding sunshine to those around you. ☀️

With love,

Erica ❤️🌺