Help Erica Battle a Brain Tumor
My cousin, Erica Harryman, has been with the ACD family for fourteen years. While ACD is a service and technology company that values people, Erica is more than an employee – she’s family. As a Senior Client Care Specialist, she’s known for her warm, personal touch, for being reliable and caring. But right now, she could use our care and support as she faces a personal medical crisis.
Two years ago
“One morning I woke up and couldn’t hear out of my right ear.”
Erica’s episode of sudden hearing loss in October 2019 was the first of three. Her chiropractor suggested getting it checked out and the Ear/Nose/Throat doctor she saw prescribed steroids which helped get her hearing back.
Flash forward to June 2020, and Erica had another bout of sudden hearing loss, waking up again without being able to hear from her right ear. The powerful steroids again helped but on the flip side, there were many side effects.
Summer 2021
Her third episode of hearing loss was in July. This time the steroids didn’t work and her doctor suggested undergoing an MRI. The test results were given to her by a new specialist, a neurologist. This type of doctor treats neurological-related and inner ear concerns. The news wasn’t good as the MRI revealed a mass inside her head. The mass (or tumor) has filled her entire auditory canal and wrapped around a good portion of her brain stem.
Treatment plan
For the last year or so, Erica hasn’t been feeling herself. She’s had bouts of dizziness, headaches and tinnitus (ringing and swishing in her ears). The cause is this newly discovered tumor lodged in her head. The neurologist told her surgery is needed ASAP. The date is set - Sept. 14th at the Swedish Cherry Hill Heart & Neurology Center in Seattle. It’s a two-hour drive from Erica’s home in Anacortes on Fidalgo Island in the Pacific Northwest.
With the operation, her two surgeons’ goals are to save Erica’s hearing in her right ear as well as facial nerves that will hopefully prevent a permanently drooping face. Her hospital stay is expected to be three days or longer. After she goes home, Erica will need a lot of medication and rest to slowly recover from this major surgery. No immediate family lives nearby. She’ll be on leave from work until mid-November.
"Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't." - Rikki Rogers
How you can help
Even with Erica’s healthcare plan, all her medical costs aren’t covered. Erica is a private and prideful person so it’s difficult to admit she could use help. She literally and figuratively is on an island! Aside from your positive thoughts, prayers and caring words, any financial donation you can find in your heart to give to assist in Erica’s recovery would be deeply appreciated. This is a situation where you can make a difference in the life of someone you know.
In gratitude,
Ernie Bray