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Long overdue update...
Hi Friends and Family,
Erica's last round of chemo/radiation was in Aug 2018, shortly after, in Sept 2018, she started noticing numbness and tingling in her feet. She mentioned it at follow-up appointments with her after-care doctors back here in Eau Claire in the Marshfield system. Symptoms were noted, but nothing was done or checked into right away. The numbness and tingling continued to travel up her legs and as it did, the muscles in her legs weren't working like they should be. This progressively continued to worsen over the months. As with everything in the medical world... the time it takes to get an appointment, and diagnosis, is sometimes excruciatingly long. She saw three different neurologists in the Marshfield system... one doctor thought it was myositis (an inflammation of the muscles; an injury, infection, or autoimmune disease can cause it)... she endured a muscle biopsy which eventually ruled that out. The next two doctors thought it was lumbosacral plexopothy (radiation damage to the nerves in the lumbar area which reduces the signals your brain sends to make your muscles move). While she was getting around on her own, walking unaided became increasingly difficult, and dangerous. She started using walking sticks, but still, she fell many times.
On May 30, 2019, almost exactly one year to the day of her initial cancer diagnosis, Erica was at work, (she was completing a nail technician program at the local technical college and working as a massage therapist still, when she could) when her legs gave out, she fell, and broke both the tibia and fibula in her left leg . She had surgery to repair the breaks the next day and then spent two weeks at an inpatient rehab facility. She was non-weight bearing on the broken leg for 6 weeks, and with the other leg not working like it should, she was confined to using a wheel chair and walker to get around.
Because the neurologist's in the Marshfield system did not believe there was anything more they could do for her, Erica's primary oncologist finally referred her back to Mayo Rochester for a second opinion on what was going on with her legs. On Sept 6th, we saw Dr. Joon Uhm, who is determined to get to the bottom of this issue. He ordered another MRI and another EMG. At the initial consultation with Uhm, as he was reviewing a previous MRI, he noted some abnormalities within Erica's spinal column. It could be inflammation, it could be radiation damage, he's almost positive it is NOT another cancer, as cancer would present with pain. Like I said earlier, results are not always easy to come by.
Erica is dealing with other radiation after effects as well, including severe radiation proctitis. She is working hard to help her body heal.... she recently completed 60 days of hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy. She is also going to physical therapy, occupational therapy, is involved in a cancer survivor program through her local YMCA, and is also counseling for her mental health.
Erica continues to struggle with the concept of having to ask for help, but not having any monetary resources at this time is an almost insurmountable depressor in her life. She recently applied for Social Security Disability and was denied. While she is appealing that decision and has high hopes for a favorable outcome, the process takes time and it could be anywhere from 3 months to another year before a decision is handed down. She has not worked full-time since May of 2018. I reminded her of the heart of giving that she has so truly demonstrated to others, and a community of people who love her and are eager to help. There are several ways to help if you are willing. Erica can tell you the specific monthly bills she needs help with and you can choose one to pay directly (a check to the specific entity, or possibly through an electronic payment). Gas/grocery store gift cards, are good, or feel free to give to her GoFundMe or paypal account (under [email redacted] or [phone redacted].)
Thank you for your support!!!
Hi Friends and Family,
Erica's last round of chemo/radiation was in Aug 2018, shortly after, in Sept 2018, she started noticing numbness and tingling in her feet. She mentioned it at follow-up appointments with her after-care doctors back here in Eau Claire in the Marshfield system. Symptoms were noted, but nothing was done or checked into right away. The numbness and tingling continued to travel up her legs and as it did, the muscles in her legs weren't working like they should be. This progressively continued to worsen over the months. As with everything in the medical world... the time it takes to get an appointment, and diagnosis, is sometimes excruciatingly long. She saw three different neurologists in the Marshfield system... one doctor thought it was myositis (an inflammation of the muscles; an injury, infection, or autoimmune disease can cause it)... she endured a muscle biopsy which eventually ruled that out. The next two doctors thought it was lumbosacral plexopothy (radiation damage to the nerves in the lumbar area which reduces the signals your brain sends to make your muscles move). While she was getting around on her own, walking unaided became increasingly difficult, and dangerous. She started using walking sticks, but still, she fell many times.
On May 30, 2019, almost exactly one year to the day of her initial cancer diagnosis, Erica was at work, (she was completing a nail technician program at the local technical college and working as a massage therapist still, when she could) when her legs gave out, she fell, and broke both the tibia and fibula in her left leg . She had surgery to repair the breaks the next day and then spent two weeks at an inpatient rehab facility. She was non-weight bearing on the broken leg for 6 weeks, and with the other leg not working like it should, she was confined to using a wheel chair and walker to get around.
Because the neurologist's in the Marshfield system did not believe there was anything more they could do for her, Erica's primary oncologist finally referred her back to Mayo Rochester for a second opinion on what was going on with her legs. On Sept 6th, we saw Dr. Joon Uhm, who is determined to get to the bottom of this issue. He ordered another MRI and another EMG. At the initial consultation with Uhm, as he was reviewing a previous MRI, he noted some abnormalities within Erica's spinal column. It could be inflammation, it could be radiation damage, he's almost positive it is NOT another cancer, as cancer would present with pain. Like I said earlier, results are not always easy to come by.
Erica is dealing with other radiation after effects as well, including severe radiation proctitis. She is working hard to help her body heal.... she recently completed 60 days of hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy. She is also going to physical therapy, occupational therapy, is involved in a cancer survivor program through her local YMCA, and is also counseling for her mental health.
Erica continues to struggle with the concept of having to ask for help, but not having any monetary resources at this time is an almost insurmountable depressor in her life. She recently applied for Social Security Disability and was denied. While she is appealing that decision and has high hopes for a favorable outcome, the process takes time and it could be anywhere from 3 months to another year before a decision is handed down. She has not worked full-time since May of 2018. I reminded her of the heart of giving that she has so truly demonstrated to others, and a community of people who love her and are eager to help. There are several ways to help if you are willing. Erica can tell you the specific monthly bills she needs help with and you can choose one to pay directly (a check to the specific entity, or possibly through an electronic payment). Gas/grocery store gift cards, are good, or feel free to give to her GoFundMe or paypal account (under [email redacted] or [phone redacted].)
Thank you for your support!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Erica Ladenthin
Beneficiary