Erin was pretty amazing. She was a nurse and had two small children and a husband. And like me, she was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in January 2008. We met on the Young Survival Coalition bulletin board. Her login was heartnurse, because she worked in the cardiology ward of her hospital. Over at the YSC, it is common that women who are going through treatment at the same time create their own little treatment group and so we became the Moxies (because we started chemo in March.) We commiserated about treatment, side effects, losing our hair and sometimes our dignity. Also we talked about how we worried what our diagnosis and treatment meant for our kids. She called me the day she found out she had progressed to Stage IV. I remember being at a loss for words, which is hard to fathom, I know. When my friend sent me Tinkerbell wings, she sent me some extra for Erin’s little girl as well as a copy of the movie. (She loves fairies.) When her first oncologist told her she had a month left, she picked herself up and went to Chapel Hill for a second opinion. That was last year. She did everything she could to fight off the beast.
She was a fighter.
She was a nurse.
She was a Mama and Wife.
She was a Moxie.
And now she’s gone.
Peace be with you Moxie-girl. We miss you already.
February 1, 2010
throwslikeagirl74
4 responses to “Heart Nurse”
pamela grossman
February 1st, 2010 at 19:15
she was our friend; and a huge, huge source of support and inspiration.
i read an anecdote today, written by a friend who got sick in the car while riding with erin. she had to get out and puke. erin (who at this time had stage 4 disease, mind you, and had just had whole brain radiation) was right there with a baggie for the puke, a baby wipe for our friend’s mouth, some anti-nausea stuff that apparently really worked, and, to top it all off, a breath mint. done, fine, and back on the road!
oh, erin. i had so, so much to learn from you. i will try to spend the rest of my life learning it. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox
Beth
February 2nd, 2010 at 06:53
It isn’t fair! She should’ve had so much more time. Rest in peace Erin. Your family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.
Momgoingcrazy from YSC
aftercancer
February 2nd, 2010 at 08:52
So sorry to hear of the loss. She should have been able to be there for her kids. She and her family and friends will be in my thoughts today.
katbur2 from YSC
Laurie
February 2nd, 2010 at 14:51
This is a lovely tribute. I am so sorry this happened and so fed up with stupid cancer. I keep thinking, “but that’s just not fair.”
And it isn’t.
Let’s the rest of us who have been there/are there continue to live with fierce intention and an awareness of the importance of finding moments of joy in every day.
xoxo