Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Home

Hi Everyone,
Sorry for the long delay in posting. Erica was released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon and went home to her Mom's place. Last week Erica received a low-dose chemotherapy and another treatment in an attempt to keep her counts in check, meaning keeping the leukemia from rapidly reproducing. These two treatments called Vidaza and Mylotarg were chosen by Erica and her family because they had the best chance of prolonging her life without making her horribly sick, and so far, it seems to be working. Right now her main complaint is oppressive fatigue which could be a result of few different things. The plan is to be checked at Stanford 3 times a week and monitor her counts.

She asked that I send her thanks for all of the displays of love and support. The cards, the gifts, the blog postings, the e-mails, and all the wonderful meals made her time in the hospital a little more bearable.

Jamie

P.S. Good news, Erica is the proud owner of a new iPhone (same phone number)! For those of you who she is in touch with, please text her your phone numbers (don't forget to include your name).

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a relief that you are home and that the chemos are helping.
Hospitals aren't much fun compared to home, even world class hospitals.
God bless you and your family.
Matt

Ivan said...

Hey Erica,

Despite the 'classy' wall sconces in your hospital room, surely, there is no place like home.

Let us know if you need anything - you know we're always ready to cook. I'll have Sandra text you her number.

Because Japan is so awesome...Gambate!

Ivan

Katie Windle said...

Hi sweetie,
I miss you soooooo much. I'm glad you are back in your tranquil abode in Bgame. You know I will do anything for you and your mom and sister. Just say the word. I will text you my phone number. Love Katie W.

Anonymous said...

Erica,
I been thinking about you everyday and have been checking your site. My father took Vidaza as well (he has MDS) and he tolerated the side effects very well. I continue to send you my positive thoughts, energy, and prayers for today, tomorrow, and tomorrow's tomorrow, and the days ahead.
June

Anonymous said...

Dear Erica

A small gift to Welcome you Home is on its way to you and should be with you sometime next week - we are so pleased that you are home and wish you well again - we continue to hope and pray for your recovery. BIG LOVE & HUGS to you all from Claire and Bonnie xx

Unknown said...

I've been checking your blog and FB page every day for updates, so happy to hear you're home and that something is at least working. Thinking of you a lot from the "Holy" Land!

Sara

Corinne said...

Welcome home Erica, I'm so glad to hear you are out of the hospital. Am thinking of you and sending you healthy vibes every day.

Anonymous said...

hi Erica,
This is Rebi Wong from oxy '01. I've been following your story and I am really sorry to hear about this news. Really sorry. I'm glad to hear that the treatments seem to be working though and that you are home. I read your oxy article and have since gotten on the bone marrow registry (i'm half white and chinese!) so thanks for that. Your story also hits close to home as my sister also has cancer - stage 4 colon cancer, diagnosed two years ago. It's not fun for lack of a better way to put it.
You are in my thoughts! I send you a big hug!
love, Rebi

Anonymous said...

Lots of love!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back to home sweet home, E! I hope the Vidaza will leave you with enough energy to continue the great puzzle challenge on the couch table... :) Love you and miss you. Gioia

christina said...

Glad you're home Erica! And with a brand new iPhone!

I am obsessed with my iPhone...some apps I would suggest - Diner Dash (great game), Jewel Quest and the ever so soothing Koi Pond!

Anonymous said...

Hola Erica,

It's good to know you're back at home. I am sending you many hugs from here and tons of happy thoughts for a very quick recovery!

Te quiero mucho,

Giselle

WUCREW News said...

FedEX is coming to ERICA. But they may not leave her package at the door. Anyone that has E's phone number please pass this info along asap.

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Thank you for placing an order with Shari's Berries.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact our Customer
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Order Confirmation Number: 20222594

Katie Warren said...

Erica,

I am using the article about you from the Occidental Magazine to teach my students how one person can make a difference. What a way to introduce Antigone. I have been reading your posts and my thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Katie Warren

Mariah Schmidt said...

Erica,
I have followed your story ever since a fellow classmate forwarded your blog to me. I am a SJHS alum (class of 95). I admire your courage and send all of my positive thoughts and prayers to you.

Candace Ryan said...

Hi Erica,

I'm glad you have the peace, comfort, and love of home to surround you.

I'm at Oxy once a week, and it has been so uplifting to see messages of Obama and hope written in chalk all over campus.

I don't know about Bay area T.V., but KCET in L.A. will broadcast Huell Howser speaking with folks at Oxy about Obama. It's supposed to air Thursday night (11/13) at 8:30.

I continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

So happy to hear you are home. I've been praying for you and your family. Again, you are amazing eventhough you may not feel it sometimes. You ARE amazing! Love to you.

Valerie Reynaga

Kellie said...

Many people that you would never know follow your blog and are saying prayers for you. Stay strong!

Anonymous said...

Happy to hear you are home safe with your family. Please let your readers know if you need anything. You have a lot of people looking out for you and saying prayers....

Anonymous said...

"I'm gonna live, I'm gonna love
I'm not afraid because Your grace will always be enough"

Erica, I believe in a God with healing powers and I'll be praying for you.

Jeannie said...

Dear Erica:

Please accept my prayers, I am pulling for you - the bounce back girl, hope springs eternal. You are brave and beautiful.

Love
Jeannie Reveler ( and Cathy in Heaven)

Jessica Farmer said...

Erica,

You are a paradigm of strength, grace and beauty. My thoughts are with you daily.

Jessica

Amy Senier said...

Erica:
I have been checking for updates everyday. Welcome home and know that you have many, many people thinking about you around the world.
Peace,
Amy

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you are back home and resting - there truly is no place like home.

faeryspirit said...

Jamie ~~ I had sent Erica a hat several months ago from the Amazon site Order Date: April 1, 2008
Order #: 103-0602207-3474642
Recipient: Erica Murray
Items: 1 of: Destroyed Military Cap, Woodland / Orange, One Size
Sold by: Andrew Christian. This was just meant as a small gesture of support.

I was not trying to be anonymous, I simply missed the gift section! I am good friends with Dorothy Orszulak at Tufts and because my son has had cancer twice, and a stem cell transplant, she knew I'd want to say prayers for Erica. I continue to say them...

All the best,
Noreen Cullen
(noreen@faeryspirit.com)

Hailey said...

Hi Erica,

Just wanted to let you know we had a bone marrow drive at Oxy today during Homecoming. We got about 50 people to sign up! So thank you for getting the word out about the registry.

Glad to hear that you're at home. :)

Sending lots of good vibes and big big hugs your way,

Hailey, Forrest Havens, Lauren Posin, and Lauren Beglin.

Anonymous said...

Dear Erica and family,
I hope you've been able to enjoy the beautiful days we've been having lately.
Thinking of you and praying for you.
Today some friends are running in the San Antonio marathon with Team in Training honoring people like you.

Matt

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you all the time, Erica.

artineh said...

I'm so glad you're home. There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed and being in your own element. I am always thinking about you and hoping you are doing well.
love,
art

Kenzie said...

Erica,
I am another one of your many blog followers.

You are such an cool chic and such a fighter! I am an admirer of your strength and perseverence! I hope the comforts of home have lifted your spirit.

You are in my thoughts! I send positive vibes and mojo out into the universe for you everyday, as do so many others!