In the space of time since our last update, Erin managed to do a lot - she excelled in grade 12 biology, got to her high school prom, spent time at the cottage, and went to overnight summer camp. Erin also received a Children’s Wish trip to San Diego, where she enjoyed interacting with dolphins at Seaworld, and went to the zoo, shopping and a fancy restaurant meal. She secured a co op placement, with persistent work (thanks to dad) on it over the summer, at a supportive local vet clinic and made new friends at high school as most of her other friends had moved on to university. This fall she was back in school taking not only the co-op but 4 maths and sciences, with the goal of heading into wildlife biology or genetics at university next year. She was working really hard at keeping her marks up despite the lingering fatigue, and the brain and hormone effects of chemotherapy. She attended physio after school once a week and was doing really well at walking, and even starting to learn to run. After her physiotherapy appointment in mid October she began to have unrelenting muscle cramping in her good leg. Nothing that we could do had any lasting effect. At first we thought it was an injury, and in fact it was discovered that she did have a herniated disc. But Erin, being very determined, spent 3 weeks going to school from Monday to Wednesday and then collapsing into bed for 4 days to recover. She kept studying for tests in between and still managed to keep up at first. Scans she was sent for showed nothing but the herniated disc. Eventually she was admitted to Sick Kids, despite being 18, so that a variety of specialists could look at what might possibly be going on. After a couple of weeks there with little progress the doctors discovered, somewhat by accident, that there was something going on in her chest. On biopsy this was determined to be metastases of her original cancer. She had antibiotics that cleared up some of her original symptoms, which were likely related to an infection, but there was nothing to be done at this point regarding the returned cancer. She also returned to using alternative treatments for cancer, but it was too late. The cancer in her lungs was very aggressive and progressed quickly. She was declared palliative and given a short time to live. She came home with full palliative support for a week. While here she and David got the opportunity to spend precious times together. She then needed to return to hospital and spent her last days there. In her last weeks she needed more and more oxygen and then needed to stay sitting up to breathe adequately. She was no longer in pain but life was increasingly a struggle. Erin fought on with incredible grace and determination, hoping that she would be healed. She still had so many dreams and aspirations she wanted to pursue. She never complained, and even to the end was more concerned for others than herself. The nurses often commented about how amazed they were at her grace and determined spirit. Early this past Monday morning, while Catherine was right with her, she breathed her last breath. She called out shortly before for someone not to go. Perhaps she was being given the choice to cross over to the next life or fight on here. She went quietly and peacefully. We are so grateful for that, and that her suffering is over, but we cannot adequately express how deeply we will miss her. Erin was wise beyond her years, after her suffering. She was a real joy, and our memories of her will gladden us for many years to come. Information about the funeral (there isn’t any visitation, but there is a light reception afterwards), a place to write comments or donate to Erin’s choice of causes can be found on the Paul O’Connor Funeral Home site pauloconnor.ca if you wish. Kristine, David and Catherine
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 17:33:29 +0000
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