Navigating Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic – Erica Easter’s Journey

Erica Easter shares her emotional journey of battling breast cancer, undergoing chemotherapy, and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic’s challenges. Read how holistic practices and a strong support system helped her stay resilient.

Empowering Recovery Through Connection and Self-Care

By Pedramin Vaziri

In our latest episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with Erica Easter to discuss her courageous journey through cancer recovery. Her candid reflections offer valuable insights for anyone navigating life’s most difficult challenges, be it emotional, mental, or physical. Erica’s story is one of resilience, importance of self-care, and the immense power of community and connection in healing.

Facing Cancer During a Pandemic

Erica’s cancer journey began in December 2019, when she discovered a lump in her breast. She recalls the moment she heard the words, “You have cancer,” as one that left her speechless. “It kind of knocks the wind out of you,” she reflects. Despite the fear, Erica faced the diagnosis with a strong sense of realism. “Breast cancer happens to one in eight women,” she says. “I just happened to be one of the one in eight.”

Facing a Stage 1B cancer diagnosis is already a monumental challenge, but when combined with the uncertainty and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Erica’s fight became even more intense. In January 2020, Erica made the difficult decision to undergo a double mastectomy. Though her cancer was detected early (Stage 1B), it was classified as grade 3, meaning it was more aggressive and required chemotherapy.

However, the emotional toll didn’t end there. At the age of 38, Erica hadn’t yet given birth to children. After discussing her options with her doctors, she decided to undergo egg preservation before starting chemo. “The hormones had me all over the place,” she jokes, but in just three weeks, Erica successfully preserved her eggs and began chemotherapy in March 2020.

Battling Cancer During COVID-19

Erica’s first chemotherapy session took place just days before the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, the reality of cancer treatment took on new dimensions. The hospitals were in lockdown, and she had to go through the process alone. “You’re coming in for just this. You can’t bring anyone with you,” she recalls.

Navigating the fear of infection on top of cancer treatments was exhausting. In the early days of the pandemic, there was so much uncertainty about how COVID-19 spread. “We would have groceries sit on the porch for a few hours and wipe everything down,” she remembers, noting the constant shifts in safety protocols.

The Importance of Mental Health and Support

During her treatment, the mental and emotional toll weighed heavily on Erica. She stressed the importance of seeking professional help and taking medication when needed. "Lots of therapy and lots of medicine,” she advises anyone in a similar position, emphasizing that healing is not only physical but also deeply emotional.

Even amid isolation, Erica was fortunate to have an amazing support system that rallied around her. “Although I like to go to chemo by myself, my friends made sure I never went through it alone,” she shares. “Someone was always there to pick me up and drop me off.”

Finding Strength in Her Journey

For Erica, cancer wasn’t something she ever expected, but it was a challenge she embraced with courage and strength. “Everybody has their thing, and my thing is cancer,” she says. Now, as she reflects on her journey, she remains hopeful for the future and grateful for the support that has carried her through.

The Role of Holistic Healing

Erica’s treatment wasn’t limited to traditional medicine. She also turned to holistic therapies like acupuncture and meditation, practices that helped her stay grounded amidst the chaos. “Acupuncture is a lifesaver,” she said, while meditation helped her focus and stay connected to her body and mind. These approaches gave her a sense of balance and calm when the world around her felt overwhelming.

At?SOULEX,, we see the incredible value of these holistic approaches. Our float therapy sessions are designed to promote mindfulness, relaxation, and mental clarity, key components of both emotional and physical recovery. In a world that can often feel overwhelming, floating provides a chance to disconnect from stress and reconnect with your inner self.

Visualization: A Powerful Tool for Healing

An essential part of Erica's coping strategy has been her use of visualization. “I’m also really, really big on visualizations,” she shares. When cancer returned for her, she faced a new and terrifying reality. “When it comes back, it is a whole different story. Because once it metastasizes, you're no longer stage one, two, or three; you're automatically stage four. And you hear stage four cancer, and the first thing you think is, I'm going to die really soon.”

Erica has a deep emotional connection to her son, feeling the weight of her responsibilities as a mother: “I can't go anywhere. That's impossible. I can't even wrap my head around not being here for him.”

To combat these fears, Erica developed a vivid mental image that grounded her in hope and positivity. “I have one image in my mind that is so real; I can feel it. I can feel the sun on my skin in this moment.” She described a moment in the future where her son hands her his child. “I see my son handing me his baby. I know this moment is going to happen.”This strong vision has become a beacon of hope for her during difficult times. “That's why you don't give up,” she emphasizes.

Finding Joy and Support in Community

Throughout her cancer journey, Erica leaned on her friends and family for support. One of her most touching stories was about her best friend, who rearranged her life to help Erica through her treatment. The power of friendship and community was instrumental in her recovery. “Even in the hardest moments, I’m constantly reminded of how blessed I am,” Erica shared. Her friends became a crucial part of her healing process, driving her to appointments and ensuring she never felt alone.

During her trip to Napa with her friends, Erica had a moment of realization, brought on by a conversation with her friends. As they strolled through the Redwoods, Erica expressed a desire to live in that kind of beauty all the time. Her friend quickly reminded her, "But you are living like this. This is your life."

This moment was a wake-up call for Erica. It became a lesson in gratitude, teaching her to embrace the present rather than constantly looking ahead. "I realized that I was living in those moments," she reflected. "I just needed to take it all in for what it was."

The strength Erica found in her support system is a reminder that recovery is not a solitary journey. We need our community, whether it’s friends, family, or wellness professionals to help us through the tough times. At SOULEX, we aim to be part of that support system for our clients, offering not just physical relief through floating but emotional and mental restoration as well.

A Deepened Connection with Faith

Erica's cancer journey has deepened her relationship with God in unexpected ways. Though she grew up in a religious family, it wasn’t until she faced her diagnosis that she truly understood the power of faith. "You don’t really get it until you’re forced to get it," she explained.

Erica’s faith also played a pivotal role in her journey. “I have a relationship with God just to get out of bed every morning,” she said. Cancer deepened her connection to her faith, and while she acknowledges that not everyone’s journey will look the same, she encourages those facing hardship to lean on their faith and trust in a higher plan.

For Erica, her faith became her lifeline, allowing her to surrender the things she couldn’t control and find peace in the knowledge that she was doing everything she could.?

One of the most beautiful symbols of Erica’s faith is a tattoo she proudly wears on her arm that reads, "God’s Favorite." This phrase has become her personal mantra, reminding her that despite the hardships, she is still deeply loved and cared for. "Even in the midst of cancer, I know God is looking out for me. I have so many blessings in my life."

Empowering Self-Care Through Floating

After experiencing float therapy at SOULEX, Erica couldn’t believe how deeply relaxed and refreshed she felt. "Spa experiences like yours are great because it allows you to just be, float, and do, and you can be by yourself. I tell you, I get the best sleep after my float. Girl, if y'all can bottle this sleep and sell it… I mean, I guess you are with the SOULEX experience!" Erica shared with a laugh.

For her, floating was more than just a spa treatment, it was an opportunity to tune into her own wellness, disconnect from the stresses of life, and truly listen to her body’s needs. Erica’s experience is a testament to the profound benefits that floating can provide, especially for those navigating significant life challenges like cancer recovery.

Creating Safe Spaces for Healing

Erica spoke of the importance of having “safe spaces” to fall apart, gather strength, and rebuild. She shared, “So many of my friends say, ‘oh, you handle this well, you handle this well.’ The only reason I handle this well is because I allow myself to fall apart when I need to. And the only way I can fall apart is when I have safe spaces.” For Erica, healing begins in those quiet, private spaces where she can release her emotions without fear of judgment, knowing she will always be able to pick herself back up.

One of Erica’s personal safe spaces is her porch, a sanctuary where she can connect with nature and process her waves of emotion. “I am constantly riding waves of emotion. And so I have to surf the waves as opposed to drowning in those waves,” she explained.

At?SOULEX,, we resonate deeply with Erica’s need for spaces that allow for emotional release and healing. We believe that creating these types of environments is integral to one’s recovery process, whether it’s a float therapy session or simply finding moments to breathe, pause, and reconnect with yourself.

Conclusion

Erica Easter’s story is one of courage, faith, and an unwavering commitment to finding joy, even in the most challenging times. Her journey reminds us that life is full of beautiful, unexpected moments and that, no matter what, we all have the power to lean into the joy and embrace the blessings around us. Whether it’s through visualization, faith, or the love of friends, Erica’s resilience is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the beauty of life, even in its most difficult seasons.

When I had this interview with Erica, it put my own challenges into a different perspective. The problems I face personally and in my business and personal life, while significant, pale in comparison and are not as profound as the obstacles Erica faces on a daily basis.. Her strength, courage, and grace reminded me that we all carry burdens, but some are more severe than others. And yet, she continues to find joy, peace, and resilience through it all. Her story helped me see that, no matter how tough things get, we have the power to rise above and to find moments of peace and gratitude, even when life feels overwhelming.