This brave single mother of two, at age 33 and three years post-diagnosis with an aggressive form of small cell lung carcinoma, has been given a mere three months to live despite numerous treatments.
In addition to battling cancer , Erika received the gut-wrenching news in January that she also suffers from Cushing Syndrome. This condition triggered her rapid 60 pounds weight gain, muscle and bone deterioration, elevated blood pressure, the appearance of Moon Face, and Type 2 diabetes.
The syndrome has left Erika incapable of walking. Currently, she is focused on setting up a fundraiser to secure the future for her children, Ailiyah who is five, and Jeremiah, aged seven. With metastatic tumours spread across her body, Erika revealed the heartbreaking reality: "By that point the damage had already been done. In that moment, mine and my kids' entire lives had changed forever."
Erika, exemplifying resilience, continued to work amidst her staggering number of medical treatments, pausing only for two months to attend appointments, undergo surgeries, biopsies, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments. Revealing her plight on her fundraiser, she admitted: "I have been ashamed and embarrassed for people to know the truth that I have kept this a secret for as long as I could," adding, "But the physical effects are starting to take control, and I can't hide it any longer."
Treatments ceased when her scans started showing improvement, but her Cushing's had a significant impact on her health and quality of life in the subsequent months, according to MailOnline. She attributes the disease as one of the main causes for her health's drastic decline to its current state.
Erika added: "Three months to spend with my babies and loved ones,' she penned, 'three months to make the best of what time I have left."
The Utah mother has expressed her intention to devote her remaining time to her children, focusing all her energy on them as she aims to "make the best of it" in her remaining days. Besides spending time with her children, she's been tasked with planning her own funeral and hopes to raise thousands of pounds to cover the expenses upon her death.
Despite setting up the page with a $5,000 goal, generous well-wishers have contributed more than $750,000.
She stated: "Due to me not being able to work for months now I do not have any finances saved up or any life insurance set aside for this situation. If you could please donate or share anything would be appreciated.
All the funds that have exceeded my funeral cost will now be put into a trust fund for my babies, that way I can leave behind something for them and I can still ensure they are going to be ok as they grow up. "Angelique Rivera, cousin of Diarte-Carr, shared a moving photograph showing her children embracing their mother in hospital, revealing the image has resonated with many. Rivera expressed her immense gratitude: "We are at a loss for words and could never say thank you enough.
"The community in Ogden, Utah, where the mum resides, has rallied around to provide support, offering Erika everything from meals and toys to funds. Erika conveyed her heartfelt thanks: "All the funds that have exceeded my funeral cost will now be put into a trust fund for my babies, that way I can leave behind something for them and I can still ensure they are going to be ok as they grow up. "Furthermore, Diarte-Carr acknowledged her medical team in Ogden for their dedicated service, stating: "Me and my family thank you ALL from the bottom of our hearts.
My children are my whole life, light and soul. My children are my fight and what keep me going."
Ailiyah, aged five, spoke affectionately about her mother to ABC 4, saying: "She's special to us."
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