A nurse who has dedicated her life to treating children with cancer has herself been diagnosed with an incurable form of the disease.
As per Metro, Erika Rucks, 40, was told she had stage 4 metastatic breast cancer last summer. The tumors have spread to her bones and spine.
In the wake of the devastating news, however, Rucks, a married mother of three, has vowed to continue her work as a paediatric oncology nurse at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis for as long as possible.
“Even though I can’t necessarily cure my own cancer, I’m helping somebody else,” the 40-year-old said.
“By helping them go through their cancer journey, I’m learning from them how to go through my own cancer journey.”
Erika was diagnosed with Hogkin’s lymphoma when she was just 15 years old. On that occasion she was treated with both chemo and radiotherapy to rid her of the disease.
Doctors now believe the 12 radiation treatments to her chest may have caused or contributed to the cancer she’s facing this time around.
She told KARE: “We never know 100 percent, but I think it’s very likely. In trying to save my life then, it gave me an incurable cancer now.”
Doing her best to remain positive, Erika has said she will continue living her life the only way she knows how.
“I try not to think about statistics. I’m going to live each day doing exactly what I love to do…
“We don’t talk about the “what ifs? I want to focus on the “nows.”
Erika’s coworkers have rallied around her in support, nominating her to have a wish granted by the Have a Nice Day Foundation.
Erika, a keen amateur photographer and sports fan, was then granted a pass to snap photos at a Minnesota Vikings game from the sidelines. Her colleagues also funded a trip for her, her husband and three daughters to go to Disney World on vacation.
“That’s how I want to be remembered – I touched lives,” Erika said.
Our hearts go out to you, Erika, we hope you can continue showing the strength you have done to date.
Share this article to show this brave woman she’s not alone in her fight against cancer.
