Young Mum Facing Terminal Cancer Says She Has ‘Accepted Her Fate’

A young mum’s life was turned upside down earlier this year when she woke up unable to move. On September 18, 2024, 26-year-old Erica Lazlo was rushed to the hospital by her partner after suddenly becoming paralyzed from the waist down, according to the Mirror.

Doctors initially suspected sciatica, a condition causing pain that radiates from the lower back into the legs. However, after being transferred to Toronto Western Hospital for specialist care, an MRI revealed a herniated disc. Erica underwent a lumbar laminectomy to restore movement in her legs, reported by the Express.

While recovering, further tests brought devastating news. A blood test and bone marrow sample confirmed Erica had stage 4 chronic myeloid leukaemia, an uncommon cancer of the bone marrow. To make matters worse, Erica has since entered stage two kidney and liver failure, leaving her ineligible for IV chemotherapy. Her only treatment option is a pill-based replacement costing $2,700 a month—a price she cannot afford.

Now facing an expected life expectancy of May 2025, Erica says she has “accepted her fate” and is focusing on leaving lasting memories for her son, Dimitri, 4. She is putting together a scrapbook for him to remember her by and has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover family expenses and secure a small amount for her child’s future.

“Most days are a struggle, I live on my couch,” Erica, a stay-at-home mum from Toronto, Canada, explained. “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.”

Reflecting on the sudden paralysis, Erica shared: “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.”

Despite the operation, Erica’s leukaemia diagnosis left her devastated. “I have been put on comfort medication to make the process of dying less painful for me. Essentially, I have been left alone,” she revealed.

Erica’s GoFundMe page aims to help her family and ensure her son is cared for after she is gone. “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.”

Erica’s heartbreaking story highlights the strength of a mother preparing for the inevitable while doing everything she can for her family.