Ericka: Cancer Can Kiss My Ass!!
Donation protected
On Christmas night my sister, Ericka, came into the room and said she found something. Since it was 2am and the last family member had just left the house, I asked her 'who forgot something'. She entered the room and closed the door behind her. "What the hell did you find that you're closing the door behind you and asking for my hand". Being siblings and knowing what tricks we've played on each other in the past, I was hesitant to do so. But when the tears began to flow down her face I knew it was something serious. I gave her my right hand and she placed it on her left breast and said, "feel this, do you think it's something serious and you think I should tell Mom?" Mind you this was all said in one breath and barely understandable.
The closer my hand got to her chest my heart rate increased and I could feel the color draining from my face. I wish to never feel what I felt as she pushed the first three fingers of my right hand under her left breast. As I felt the mass all I could hear was her asking how it's possible she never felt this before and did I think it was something serious.
The coward that I was at that moment told her it's definitely nothing but you should show mom. Was I being a coward or just being the older brother she needed at that moment? This was also the second time I truly ever lied to her. The pit in my stomach was nothing compared to the fear I could see in her eyes. I reminded her that she had been doing 10-12 hours a day at the salon for almost the whole month of December. And that maybe she may have banged into something but didn't remember. But deep down inside I knew it was something serious. As she left the room I assured her it was nothing and counted down the seconds before my mother would bust into the room.
Needless to say, it took a bit longer than I thought, lol. You see my mother waited till she calmed Ericka down and was in the shower before she tippy-toed into my dark room. We both stared at each other like deer's in headlights. And like synchronized swimmers muttered to one another at the same time "that doesn't look good".
So Monday morning came and as a family we take our first trip to the hospital. After an unpleasant experience at Brooklyn Hosptial, I asked Ericka if she could please listen to me and let me take her to NewYork-Presbyterian. So off we went. That Monday morning turned into hours of test and scheduled appointments to come. We were told it was cancer, then that it wasn't and that was exactly what we wanted to hear.
But on the morning of Wednesday, January 13, 2016, Ericka was officially diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which is more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. Something no one wants to hear or be told.
First, you're mad and then you're angry. I never really knew there was a difference between the two untill that morning. Even more being that I was out of the country when they got the call confirming she was sick. So as I made my way home all I could think about was Ericka and how she was feeling. Then I started to relive losing my cousin Tony to cancer and how I couldn't imagine losing Ericka to it.
Since we were kids, we’ve been attached at the hip and partners in crime.
We’ve gotten each other in and out of trouble but no matter what had each other's backs. Like one's shadow but didn’t disappear from one's side when it gets dark. We’ve always helped one another and told our biggest secrets to each other. We listened with open ears and didn’t judge (always mentally but never verbally). She’s been my biggest critic and sharpest tool in the shed. Known to some as "The Warden" and to tippy toe when she’s around. She’s always been my best muscle and the ace in my hand. I couldn't image her not in my corner.
I got back home and made my way down the hallway to my parent's door. Which at that moment felt like the scene from the 1980's movie, Poltergeist
I didn't want to face the reality of Ericka being sick. But the fact of the matter is that she's sick and now we had to focus on getting her better or like what she hates to hear 'fighting cancer'.
The following three weeks were rough as a family and even more on Ericka.
Ericka: Why me?
Us: Why Ericka?
Dr's: Do you have insurance?
Ericka: Who's gonna pay my bills?
Dr's: What insurance do you have?
Ericka: What did I do to deserve this?
Dr's: What additional insurance do you have?
Dr's: We don't take Obama Care.
Ericka: I can't believe I have to quit my job
Us: Which Dr. do we choose?
Dr: It's just in one place.
Us: Which hospital is better for Ericka?
Dr's: Holistic treatments work and it's just 40k for a six-week program. "and our success rate in beating the cancer is 75%."
Us: Who the F*ck has 40k laying around
Ericka: Who's gonna want me?
People: Weed beats cancer but you need the oil that cost $1000 a month
Us: Does she stop eating meat?
Jermaine: Did she ever eat meat? (shade)
Us: Does she only juice?
Ericka: What do you mean I could get Ovarian Cancer after this is said and done?
Us: Can she be around the dog?
Us: Will she lose her hair and when?
Ericka: I don't want to look sick!
Us: That's not what they said, they said this
Drs: Your treatment will last 10-12 months.
Ericka: A whole year of treatment?
Ericka: Will I be able to have kids?
Dr's: You should freeze some of your eggs and it's just between 8-12k.
Charity: Sorry you're too young to get approved.
Drs: Yes, there is a possibility you could never have kids.
Erica: Do I have Mastectomy?
Us: What did the Dr say again?
Us: What's a freezing cap?
Dr's: Sorry we don't take that plan.
Dr's: You should be part of this case study where we inject you intravenously with high doses sugar to see how your cancer reacts to it.
Us: Doesn't cancer feed off the sugar?
Drs: It has traveled to the lymph nodes
Ericka: But I thought you said it didn't travel anywhere?
Ericka: I want these things off!
Drs: Since you do have cancer and it could be terminal. The government should give you insurance now.
^^^^^^^Ericka/US: "What did they just say"^^^^^^^^
After weeks of backs and forths, Ericka was finally approved for insurance and began her treatment at NYU Langone Medical Center on February 17, 2016. One day before her 3_th birthday.
Ericka has been unable to work due to the extensive chemotherapy, hospital visits, and doctors appointments. She's been fighting this fight and facing new challenges daily. Mom and Dad are caring for her, taking her to her doctor's appointments and keeping up with everyday living.
As you know the insurance situation today in America is a joke. It seems every week a new letter comes threatening to stop medical coverage due to weekly visits and blood testing. Medical/everyday bills keep mounting.
You see, no one ever plans to get cancer, become sick or even fight for their lives. All we want to do is have the so-called American dream. We save what we can and promise ourselves to save more.
^^^^^^Ericka's gonna gag when she see this pic^^^^^
It hasn't been easy for Ericka and it's just the start of her journey. But together we will stand with her through the fight and join her when she celebrates her victory. We ask for prayers, thoughts of kindness, and support. If you are able to help in any way, please do.
Best,
The Santiago Family
The closer my hand got to her chest my heart rate increased and I could feel the color draining from my face. I wish to never feel what I felt as she pushed the first three fingers of my right hand under her left breast. As I felt the mass all I could hear was her asking how it's possible she never felt this before and did I think it was something serious.
The coward that I was at that moment told her it's definitely nothing but you should show mom. Was I being a coward or just being the older brother she needed at that moment? This was also the second time I truly ever lied to her. The pit in my stomach was nothing compared to the fear I could see in her eyes. I reminded her that she had been doing 10-12 hours a day at the salon for almost the whole month of December. And that maybe she may have banged into something but didn't remember. But deep down inside I knew it was something serious. As she left the room I assured her it was nothing and counted down the seconds before my mother would bust into the room.
Needless to say, it took a bit longer than I thought, lol. You see my mother waited till she calmed Ericka down and was in the shower before she tippy-toed into my dark room. We both stared at each other like deer's in headlights. And like synchronized swimmers muttered to one another at the same time "that doesn't look good".
So Monday morning came and as a family we take our first trip to the hospital. After an unpleasant experience at Brooklyn Hosptial, I asked Ericka if she could please listen to me and let me take her to NewYork-Presbyterian. So off we went. That Monday morning turned into hours of test and scheduled appointments to come. We were told it was cancer, then that it wasn't and that was exactly what we wanted to hear.
But on the morning of Wednesday, January 13, 2016, Ericka was officially diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which is more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. Something no one wants to hear or be told.
First, you're mad and then you're angry. I never really knew there was a difference between the two untill that morning. Even more being that I was out of the country when they got the call confirming she was sick. So as I made my way home all I could think about was Ericka and how she was feeling. Then I started to relive losing my cousin Tony to cancer and how I couldn't imagine losing Ericka to it.
Since we were kids, we’ve been attached at the hip and partners in crime.
We’ve gotten each other in and out of trouble but no matter what had each other's backs. Like one's shadow but didn’t disappear from one's side when it gets dark. We’ve always helped one another and told our biggest secrets to each other. We listened with open ears and didn’t judge (always mentally but never verbally). She’s been my biggest critic and sharpest tool in the shed. Known to some as "The Warden" and to tippy toe when she’s around. She’s always been my best muscle and the ace in my hand. I couldn't image her not in my corner. I got back home and made my way down the hallway to my parent's door. Which at that moment felt like the scene from the 1980's movie, Poltergeist
I didn't want to face the reality of Ericka being sick. But the fact of the matter is that she's sick and now we had to focus on getting her better or like what she hates to hear 'fighting cancer'. The following three weeks were rough as a family and even more on Ericka.
Ericka: Why me?
Us: Why Ericka?
Dr's: Do you have insurance?
Ericka: Who's gonna pay my bills?
Dr's: What insurance do you have?
Ericka: What did I do to deserve this?
Dr's: What additional insurance do you have?
Dr's: We don't take Obama Care.
Ericka: I can't believe I have to quit my job
Us: Which Dr. do we choose?
Dr: It's just in one place.
Us: Which hospital is better for Ericka?
Dr's: Holistic treatments work and it's just 40k for a six-week program. "and our success rate in beating the cancer is 75%."
Us: Who the F*ck has 40k laying around
Ericka: Who's gonna want me?
People: Weed beats cancer but you need the oil that cost $1000 a month
Us: Does she stop eating meat?
Jermaine: Did she ever eat meat? (shade)
Us: Does she only juice?
Ericka: What do you mean I could get Ovarian Cancer after this is said and done?
Us: Can she be around the dog?
Us: Will she lose her hair and when?
Ericka: I don't want to look sick!
Us: That's not what they said, they said this
Drs: Your treatment will last 10-12 months.
Ericka: A whole year of treatment?
Ericka: Will I be able to have kids?
Dr's: You should freeze some of your eggs and it's just between 8-12k.
Charity: Sorry you're too young to get approved.
Drs: Yes, there is a possibility you could never have kids.
Erica: Do I have Mastectomy?
Us: What did the Dr say again?
Us: What's a freezing cap?
Dr's: Sorry we don't take that plan.
Dr's: You should be part of this case study where we inject you intravenously with high doses sugar to see how your cancer reacts to it.
Us: Doesn't cancer feed off the sugar?
Drs: It has traveled to the lymph nodes
Ericka: But I thought you said it didn't travel anywhere?
Ericka: I want these things off!
Drs: Since you do have cancer and it could be terminal. The government should give you insurance now.
^^^^^^^Ericka/US: "What did they just say"^^^^^^^^After weeks of backs and forths, Ericka was finally approved for insurance and began her treatment at NYU Langone Medical Center on February 17, 2016. One day before her 3_th birthday.
Ericka has been unable to work due to the extensive chemotherapy, hospital visits, and doctors appointments. She's been fighting this fight and facing new challenges daily. Mom and Dad are caring for her, taking her to her doctor's appointments and keeping up with everyday living.As you know the insurance situation today in America is a joke. It seems every week a new letter comes threatening to stop medical coverage due to weekly visits and blood testing. Medical/everyday bills keep mounting.
You see, no one ever plans to get cancer, become sick or even fight for their lives. All we want to do is have the so-called American dream. We save what we can and promise ourselves to save more.
^^^^^^Ericka's gonna gag when she see this pic^^^^^It hasn't been easy for Ericka and it's just the start of her journey. But together we will stand with her through the fight and join her when she celebrates her victory. We ask for prayers, thoughts of kindness, and support. If you are able to help in any way, please do.
Best,
The Santiago Family
Organizer and beneficiary
Jermaine Santiago
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Ericka Santiago
Beneficiary
