A young mum’s life was turned upsdedown earlier this year when she woke up unable to move. On September 18, 2024 Erica Lazlo was rushed to her local hospital by her partner after waking up paralysed.
The 26-year-old was unable to move from the waist down and doctors suspected Erica had sciatica – which causes pain that radiates from the lower back down the back of the leg, into the foot. She was told she has just a few months left to live by doctors.
Mum-of-one Erica was then transferred to Toronto Western Hospital – as it had a specialist neurology department – where an MRI scan revealed she had a herniated disc. She then underwent a lumbar laminectomy to give her movement in her legs. Medics also conducted a blood test and took a bone marrow sample and Erica was diagnosed with stage 4 chronic myeloid leukaemia – an uncommon type of cancer of the bone marrow.
Since her diagnosis, Erica has entered stage two kidney and liver failure which means she isn’t eligible for IV chemotherapy. Her only option is a pill replacement which costs $2,700 a month which she says she’s unable to afford.
Erica – who is mum to Dimitri, four, and lives with her partner – says she has « accepted her fate » and is putting together a memory scrapbook so her little one can remember her when she’s gone.
Erica, a stay-at-home mom, from Toronto, Canada, said: « Most days are a struggle, I live on my couch . I don’t have the energy for anything which makes me feel terrible as I am not able to be the mother I want to be. Some days are better than others, some days I am just trying to process what was told to me. I don’t want to leave my son behind but I don’t seem to have an option. »
In September 2024, Erica woke up completely paralysed after a typical weekday. Her partner drove her to the local emergency room and they told her to go to Toronto Western Hospital. She said: « I couldn’t move at all, I was taken to the emergency room but they had no idea what was going on. I was then transferred to Toronto Hospital where I underwent a lumbar laminectomy. Essentially, I had a herniated disc that had pinched my entire spinal cord in half. The operation helped me regain movement in my body. »
After her diagnosis Erica was devastated to learn she’s ineligible for IV chemotherapy. Erica said she has « accepted her fate » and is preparing for the end of her life. Doctors have given her a life expectancy of up until May 2025.
Erica said: « I have been put on comfort medication to make the process of dying less painful for me. Essentially I have been left alone. » Erica has set up a GoFundMe page and wants to use the money to pay for her family expenses and set some money aside for her son.
She said: « I will be leaving behind my four-year-old son. Any extra funds will be put into an account for him. I am looking to only cover a simple cremation for myself; or whatever the next cheapest option is, as I do not want to put a financial burden on my family. »
You can donate to Erica’s GoFundMe page by clicking here.
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