Let me tell the world about me - My name is Erica Zuniga; I’m 38 years old. My life changed drastically when I was diagnosed with Leukemia cancer on January 8, 2021. I can tell you that day will haunt me forever. Who wants to be told that you have cancer ? My whole world shut down. I couldn’t even process the word. I didn’t know how to feel or what to do. We never had anyone in my family go through cancer, and all I kept screaming was “Why Me"? I cried and pleaded to God that night and asked, "What did I do wrong in this world to deserve this? I’m a good person. I’m a great Daughter, Sister, Niece, Friend, Wife and Mother, I’m kind, I’m genuine, I love hard, so why this? Why Cancer.”

I was immediately admitted to Naperville hospital, where I was then transferred the next day to the University of Chicago, or as I call it, The best Cancer Hospital ever. I went right into a bone marrow biopsy so the doctors could further look into what type of Leukemia I had. When I tell you I was so numb, not from the biopsy, but with all the information and next steps they had to take to determine my situation. I just wanted to give up, in all honesty. I didn’t think this was something I could overcome at the time because when you think “Cancer” you think “Death” or at least that’s how I thought of it then. Trying to explain what I had just found out to my family and friends was the hardest thing I had to do. How do you stay positive when you don’t know the outcome?

Being in the hospital for six months without seeing my family was challenging because of Covid. I thank God that the hospital allowed my husband to be with me because I couldn’t have done it alone. It took time, but I started to see the silver lining finally. Don’t get me wrong, I had so many “Bad Days,” but I also had “Good Days,” With those Good days, I cherished every single second, minute and hour of the day.

I will never forget the day the Doctor’s came into my room and said the words I was praying to hear “We found a match! We found you a donor,” not a dry eye in sight. My Doctors and husband held me so tight and told me “This is your time, he answered your prayers, It’s going to happen”. I couldn’t wait to FaceTime my family. The joy and tears in their eyes brought so much relief to my heart and soul.

The doctors started the scheduling process so quickly, and can you believe I got my bone marrow transplant on my actual birthday, May 11th. The doctors and nurses said they had never had a patient undergo a transplant on their actual birthday. This day has so much more meaning now, you don’t even know!

I push myself every day because you couldn’t believe how bad I wanted to go home and hug my daughter. Can you imagine being away from your family for six months? I couldn't. I had to prove to the doctors I could do it on my own. As you guys could guess by now, I don’t take No for an answer. I was very persistent. I fought every day to prove I was strong enough to take care of myself at home. I like to think the doctors had no choice and finally "gave in" to release me so I could be in the comfort of my own home surrounded by family. You don’t know how much happiness this brought me.

However, serious consequences came with that because I got an infection and had to return to the hospital for another month. Of course, it brought me down, but that also slowed me to dig deeper and find courage and strength. It pushed me to work harder to get better. I was so weak that I would make myself walk through the hospital halls to feel "normal" so that I wasn't cooped up in my room all day.

A year later, being in and out of the hospital, over 6 Bone marrow biopsy completed, tons of different medications and let’s not forget Chemo, I hope to get one step closer to being in “Remission.” I’m not there yet, but I’m headed in the right direction. I had a scare with my shortness of breath and had to do what’s called "ECP." In layman's terms, it's a blood lung transplant where they remove and shock all the bad cells from my donor cells and return the good cells into my body because, unfortunately, it was affecting my lungs. I’m in that process now. We pray every day that it goes well. I continue to remind myself that I have faith and God knows my plan.

I know I’ve made it to where I am today because of the fantastic people in my life, such as yourself! I want to take a moment and thank every single one of you reading this because when I tried to give up, I would receive a message saying; “Thinking of you” “Praying for you,” or “You got this,” and you would take me right out of feeling bad for myself. I often wondered how you knew what I was feeling that day or was it pure coincidence. But, for whatever reason, you did, and I’m forever grateful. Your continuous prayers and support have pushed me every day.

I no longer question “Why Me”; I now say, “Why not me.” I’ve become so Determined, strong, and positive, and I’m incredibly Blessed. I have the best “EricaStrong” Support team and Doctors. The saying goes: everything happens for a reason," and for whatever this reasoning was, I’m ok and now have come to the terms of accepting it. I will always continue to fight and never give up because I know I will say, “I’m a Leukemia survivor,” one day!

Thank you for taking the time and allowing me to share my experience with you. It’s not the end for me, its just the beginning. I’ve gained a new perspective on life and pushed myself to try something new every day and I now know it has made a wonderful impact because I see a better purpose and plan for me.

My family and I wanted to host a “EricaStrong” Fundraiser, unfortunately in my case, I can’t determine my "good days". So instead, for the entire month of May, which is my 39th birthday and Transplant month, we decided to create a GoFundMe account in lou of that. Please know all proceeds will go to my medical bills, which continue to pile up, monthly expenses, all of the many medications that I have been prescribed over the past year, Out patient procedures as well as over night stays and any medical equipment that are a necessity to continue to help my battle with Lukiemia.

I am grateful for each and every dollar, big or small you decide to donate. Your contribution will help ease the stress and make a huge difference regarding my circumstance. I promise to always Stay Positive and Strong and keep you posted on this “EricaStong” journey.

You're forever in my heart!