My Friend Erika Donoso needs your help!

I am a breast cancer survivor for 14 years and those who suffer from this are near and dear to my heart. Please let me introduce you to my friend and co-worker Erika Donoso. Erika was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer (lobular carcinoma) on April 7th of this year. Erika is a single mother with 3 beautiful children. One of her children is special needs. She has a big heart, loves hard and takes care of her loved ones. So not that she doesn’t already have a full plate now she has a new hurtle to deal with and this is BEAT this cancer. So let me explain her story.

After meeting with her team of doctors she needed to take leave from work for treatments and surgeries so her last day of work was May 14th. Which was days before her first series of surgeries. On May 16th had a double mastectomy and reconstruction and was in surgery for over 10 hours. After some recovery from this monster surgery, more tests needed to be done. The doctors came back to her and let her know while she was healing nicely another challenge has been identified. Because of Erika’s high estrogen levels with this type of cancer the recommendation was that she go a step further to beat this cancer. They recommended a complete hysterectomy. This was not what she wanted to hear. This meant more surgeries, more time away from her kids, family and more time away from work. But she knew that in order to be around for her family that she was going in for a fight and made the decision to do whatever it took to be cancer free. On August 1st had a complete hysterectomy.

Again, she was in a situation where she needed help between her family and friends, she was able to take on this and continue the fight. As time has gone on it has been taking a toll on her, her family and her finances as her medical bills continue to come in, with little income to pay for the essentials. While she was recuperating, she was placed on heavy anti-biotics. What occurred next was not anticipated by her doctors although she kept communicating with them, they insisted it was all part of the recovery. Erika knew something wasn’t right. She couldn't keep anything down or in and these symptoms got worse. She drove herself to the hospital, went to the ER and passed out while waiting to be seen. They rushed her into the ER and after many tests she was diagnosed with CDIFF. She was severely dehydrated and the was told by the hospital doctors if she waited another day, she would no longer be with us. This caused her to be in the ICU for 2 days and after a few more days in the hospital she was released.

Her next surgery was scheduled for 9/15 they as they needed to look into the issues, she is having with her lymph nodes. Due to her severe infection, they have delayed her surgery. The surgery is now scheduled for November. Currently, she is continuing with her physical therapy for lymphedema on her left arm and recuperating from her hospital stay.

With all this said, she had depleted her bank account, has no income coming in, she is using credit cards and what is left of her savings to make ends meet. This is why I am asking for some help for her. Erika is a very self sufficient productive and loving person. She has not asked for financial help because she felt that she could manage it. But with all the “unknowns” that have happened this is becoming a financial burden and because she doesn’t know when she can return to work, she needs our help. Even when she returns to work she needs help! We are looking to raise $10,000 to get her through this situation. This money will be used for her to pay the essentials, current medical bills and upcoming surgery bills. I am asking for Erika, as it’s not in her character to ask for help but she was willing to be transparent and allow me to ask for her. This is why I set up a Go Fund Me account for Erika, if it is in your heart to contribute, thank you! Cancer doesn’t just take away from your body, your family and friends but it also takes away from your finances and the ability to be able to live. Please look into your hearts and contribute, please share the link because every dollar is one more dollar than she had before. Thank for taking the time to read and please follow the link to donate.

Diana MacGeorge

Breast Cancer Survivor