Mum-of-Two Plans Own Funeral After Shoulder Pain Turns Out to Be Terminal Cancer
Mum-of-Two Plans Own Funeral After Shoulder Pain Turns Out to Be Terminal Cancer, a brave mum-of-two, Erika Diarte-Carr, has begun planning her funeral after a devastating diagnosis revealed that her shoulder pain was a symptom of terminal cancer.
Erika, a mother to five-year-old Ailiyah and seven-year-old Jeremiah, walked into the emergency department three years ago, hoping to find relief from what she thought was a minor shoulder injury. Instead, she was given the life-altering news that she had small-cell lung carcinoma, an aggressive form of cancer that had already spread throughout her body. Over the last few years, Erika has been fighting the disease while considering her children’s future, now turning to fundraising to ensure her family isn’t burdened financially after her passing.
Just ten days ago, she was informed she only had three months left to live.
A Shocking Diagnosis on Mother’s Day Weekend
Erika’s battle with cancer began on May 7, 2022, the day before Mother’s Day in the U.S. What she assumed to be an ordinary shoulder injury was a stage 4 terminal cancer diagnosis. Doctors explained that the cancer had metastasized to several parts of her body, including her skeleton, where the initial tumor had surfaced.
As if the cancer diagnosis wasn’t enough, in January of this year, Erika was diagnosed with Cushing syndrome. This condition caused rapid weight gain, muscle and bone deterioration, swelling, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes, compounding her already challenging health battle.
Fundraising to Ease the Burden on Her Family
In an emotional post on her fundraising page, Erika revealed her overwhelming challenges. She admitted to initially hiding her illness due to feelings of shame and embarrassment. Still, she realized she could no longer keep it a secret as the physical effects became more noticeable.
“Though I wasn’t ever great at asking for or getting help, I regret to say that currently for reasons of health, I am unsure whether I have that decision,” Erika told the local newspaper. She also spoke about her inability to work, which has resulted in severe financial hardship, further complicating her situation.
The Final Countdown: Three Months Left
On September 18, 2023, following an appointment with her oncologist, Erika was given the heartbreaking news—she had just three months to live. In another update on her GoFundMe page, she recounted the moment she received the devastating prognosis.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t given the best news. I have been granted a three-month lifespan. I want to make the most of these three months by spending them with my loved ones and my babies. In light of my prognosis, I have decided to stop treatments as they will no longer assist.”
She continued, explaining her determination to ensure her children are cared for after she is gone.”I have to make sure my kids will be okay without me for six months.”My funeral is the most difficult thing I have to arrange right now.”Due to being unable to work for months now, I do not have any saved funds or life insurance policies for this condition.”
Incredible Support: From $5,000 to Over $750,000 Raised
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Initially, Erika set a modest goal of raising $5,000 (£3,700) to cover her funeral expenses. However, the overwhelming support she has received has far exceeded her expectations. To date, she has raised over $750,000 (£560,000). Erika has announced that the additional funds will be put into a trust fund for her children, ensuring they are financially secure after her passing.
In her last months, Erika’s focus is on creating lasting memories with her loved ones and providing a stable future for her children. Her story has inspired thousands, as her courage in the face of such overwhelming adversity continues to resonate with people worldwide.
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