March 2, 2023

February 28, 2023

Journal Entry by Erin Merkley — 13 hours ago

I would have to say if you have fear of cancer treatment do not fear this one. I have felt more energy than before and I’ve slept well almost every night and I feel calm and relaxed as I have in a long time. Having no kids does help me that but don’t get me wrong I miss my kids and can’t wait to bond with them once more. Going home, cooking differently for myself, and doing some of the treatments at home will take some planning and careful consideration. It’s important now more than ever to take care of myself so I can fully recover in the world of life back to normal. I know I can do it. It definitely will be an adjustment.

Funny to say it, I had my only real painful experience yesterday. They had a difficult time getting a working vein to draw blood for my UVBI. My arm starting swelling up at the needle site and hurting a bit. Being poked with a needle hasn’t bothered me so much but this time it was a tad uncomfortable. They decided to use my other arm and I had to pump my hand to get the blood they needed for treatment. Just chalk it up for experience and a story!

I also took my second dose of SP Activate which is the activator used when light and sound touch the skin that the activator takes action and goes in and starts to kill cancer cells. Science is super cool. There is more to it but that’s the simple version.

I never talked much about the resort. It has 7 restaurants

Varenna-Italian

La Siete-Mexican it’s where we go for the buffet and breakfast if I want a little something more in the morning. I was going there and getting a coconut oatmeal thinking it didn’t have dairy but alas Holly saw a worker there pouring in milk darn it. No dairy for this mamma!

Azur- Mediterranean restaurant. I love their hummus.

MB- a fancier restaurant where I actually put on a dress.

Sea Corner-this is one of my favorites where we can have lots of seafood and yummy corn tortillas with guacamole and Pico de Gallo. It’s a good thing I like avocados because I have eaten them a lot.

Hidden Garden-Asian dishes-I like the Malaysian soup.

Carnivore-this one is extra money so we don’t go there but it’s a meat place hence the meat name.

Sushi

They also have 2 Grill stations for meat and my famous daily grilled pineapple.

They also do crepes. Good but I stay away from them because I would be tempted.

I have had specials healthy menus for all of them. Lots of vegan plans with some fish.

Demi the person who leads the spiritual keeps asking me if I want to sing again. Not sure if I will but we will see.

We are getting geared up for Doctor Tony week which will start on my last day at the clinic. I am excited to meet him and have a consultation. He is the chief medical officer and founder for Hope4 Cancer and everyone says he is the most humble nice guy. I read his whole book. It will be a great last day.

Alma 38:2

And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end.

It’s time to hit the hay. Happy 1st day of March!

Erin

February 27, 2023

Journal Entry by Erin Merkley — 50 minutes ago

There is so much that happens in a day that sometimes I forget what I do. I want to back track for a second. On Saturday I was able to sing a song for everyone at the spiritual service. I sang it at a church talent show awhile ago and I felt it appropriate to sing it there. It’s called “Beautiful Heartbreak by Hilary weeks.” Here is a link to her video if you haven’t seen it. (See video below)

It was so wonderful to be able to share and uplift people through music. I don’t do it enough. My wonderful mom always shared the gift of music. In fact, I miss the days of singing at the piano with her. It always made my day.

Sunday February 26th

We are learning I need some equipment when I get home which has some more costs. We are figuring out a way to pay for it but we also know when we do all we can can God will provide. I don’t see it as an expense though because all the equipment I will be using can benefit others as well. It will be an investment in long term care. I will say to everyone, Come to my therapy room. See how we can heal our bodies!! “

James turned 1 1/2 while I was gone yesterday but we got to see him through zoom. He is getting so big. The toddler years are tiring but are so adorable. He doesn’t quite understand why he can’t touch us when he grabs the screen. I can’t wait to give all my kids a big hug and kiss.

Sunday was another rest day lounging around, reading scriptures, we dipped in the pool, ate at 3 different restaurant at the resort, and played Uno and Skip-Bo with Holly and Jody on the canopy beds outside. Oh and we also gathered seashells while we walked the beach. We got to know Jilene, Lisa’s friend who has cancer in her eyes, at dinner at the Italian restaurant. She has been able to spend time with her friend since she is free from a job. She does Young Living and has been to Utah numerous times.

Today Monday February 27th I had the most amazing colon hydrotherapy session. We get 3 sessions lasting 45 minutes each. That might sound like the strangest thing to some people. Colon hydro therapy is a therapy session where you use filtered clean water and yes flush it into your body through the bottom and then it is released back out through a tube along with all the fun stuff gathered there. Hear me out!!! It’s amazing especially the way it happened today. The lady that helped me was a massage therapist. She proceeded to start flushing me with water and then she started to massage my stomach to loosen up all that is compacted in my body over time aka poop. It made it so comfortable. As she massaged she could feel a blockage and once she felt that she, continued to bring it down with massage and certain jiggling movements with my body. This allowed my body to release all that should not reside in the body. Trying to not be so graphic lol. Hydra colonics is just one therapy that is part of the detoxification process protocol here that helps rid your body of toxins, parasites viruses, and bacteria. I couldn’t believe the art of what she did and she made you feel so relaxed. I would recommend this for everyone!! I actually did this probably 5 years ago but not with someone massaging at the same time. It was very gentle. Everyone has years of buildup in their system. It’s possible I lost some weight through it. I’ll weigh my self tomorrow.

I’m off to hang out the my hubby as he spends his day working on his computer while I am at the clinic. I’m so grateful he is here with me. Some people have husbands or wives with them, some a sister or a friend, others go at it alone. I wouldn’t want to go at it alone. I also know they have God to pull them through as well so we are never alone.

Moroni 7:3

Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven.

Love,

Erin

February 27, 2023

Journal Entry by Erin Merkley — February 25, 2023

Nearing the end of another week and it feels like it’s flying by now. It will be great to get home and see the kids but it will be sad to say goodbye to everyone.

Friday February 24th

I got out early and was done by 12:15. Sometimes the treatment can take a longer time depending on what is going on and sometimes it’s much faster. I mainly have been getting back to the hotel between 12:15-2:30. When we have consultations with doctors, nutrition consultants and emotional therapists we seem to have a longer days. Yesterday was a typical day doing therapies but I forgot to mention about my shots I have been getting since Monday. It has varied where I have gotten them. A couple times in my arm, a couple times in the buttock (I thought I was done with those after my infertility treatments but alas I get to have more) and then in my stomach yesterday. They didn’t hurt and it didn’t phase me. These shots I was excited for because the shots help to bypass a protein called nagalase that is inhibiting my body from fighting off cancer cells. Once this happens the proteins already present in me that fight disease including cancer called Macrophages can go attack. It’s truly a great thing. It’s wonderful when we can use our own immune system to come fight cancer cells instead of chemo that suppresses your immune system. I’m going to have an amazing strong immune system once again that can fight disease better.

Here is a picture of a light bed that further strengthens the immune system. I get to lay in it for 20 minutes every other day. I also get the IV’s everyday. I get vitamin c every other day and B-17 everyday. B-17 is activated in cancer cells by an enzyme.

Vitamin C- reverses the cancer secretive destructive enzyme and supports the immune system.

Later in the day after treatment I spent time with Holly and Jody laying on a canopy bed and playing cards, I then played Bingo and then Mike and I jumped in the waves in the ocean. Salt sure does sting your eyes after awhile and even when you try to avoid getting salt water in your mouth you always seem to get a little in your mouth.

Saturday February 25th

We have a big group leaving today. Shelley, Darlene, Rick, and Mike. We have loved getting to know them and their companions. Two of the couples live in Arizona and we keep pestering Shelley and Jeff to come down from Michigan so we can have a big reunion when we are cancer free. I’m sure going to miss them since we have gotten to know them for two weeks by eating dinner together and joking around at the clinic, and sharing our cancer stories. There is a special spirit here and you make friends immediately. Last night we just spent time talking outside and it was really nice. We also had dinner with Shelley and Jeff at the Mediterranean restaurant Azur. The fish here they serve is Mahi Mahi. Since I’m not supposed to eat beef, pork, and chicken, Mahi Mahi has been my go to. I think we will have a big new group coming in next week.

Let’s see what next week will bring.

Psalm130:5

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Love,

Erin

February 27, 2023

Journal Entry by Erin Merkley — February 23, 2023

One of the beautiful things about being at Hope 4 Cancer is the ability to ponder, listen to audios and be inspired on what is important in your life. I am revising my mission statement. This is because there is a lot of time spent laying down during therapies. The hyperbaric chamber is for a whole hour. Hyperthermia is for 45 minutes, light beds for 20 minutes, and infra red light lights are another 20. Every time I get in the hyperbaric chamber I listen to a podcast that inspires me to do better or what I can improve on. I was listening to “Faith it to you make it and another that talks about the power we have to inspire others.” We really are given the ability to help others. We can be Gods hands throughout our lives even in times of struggle ourselves.

There is a new patient here and she got breast cancer, then it spread to her uterus, bones, and brain. Now it has spread to her eyes and so she can’t see very well. She says she can see outlines of everyone. She came in very distraught and everyone is rallying around her and lifting her up. I am praying for her as well. When I think I’ve got it bad, I see others worse. I always try to say words of encouragement when I see her. She seems to already seems to be feeling more at ease. I hope I can be a light to her.

I am now called the Pineapple lady by one of the grillers at the resort because I get grilled pineapple everyday with Tajin. He even wanted a picture with me. It’s awesome making friends here.

I got out early yesterday so I walked the beach, let the waves hit me while I sat in the sand and had a crepe with bananas, and mangos. I had good company with Jody and Holly.

In the evening we ate dinner with 3 other couples at Hope 4 Cancer. Shelley and Jeff from Michigan, Mike and Ellen from Paradise Valley Arizona and Bill and Michelle from Payson Arizona. We will have to get together again when we return to Arizona.

Today Thursday I got to meet a new patient who sits right next to me in the IV room. Her name is Stacey and she is from Australia. She was diagnosed with colon cancer and it came back in her uterus, bones, and lungs just this past year. Again I feel fortunate to not have the difficulty as some people do but you pray for them because in some sense you understand a little of what they are going through. Ultimately it’s Christ who knows what all we are going through and that is so comforting.

Ozone Therapy

This therapy is used to improve the oxygen status of the body and carries potent anti microbial activity. It’s helps heal wounds and diseases. Basically you put odorless ozone gas into your body rectally. There are other ways of administering it but yes I get to insert it myself rectally. It’s actually not bad and the easiest and quickest therapy of them all. People use it for other maladies. It’s amazing! Go ozone!! Woot woot! Check out the picture of me holding the syringe full of ozone!

Have a happy Thursday y’all!

Love,

Erin

1 Thessalonians 1:3

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

February 27, 2023

Journal Entry by Erin Merkley — February 21, 2023

I’ve made it a whole week and now everything seems normal to me. It’s funny how quickly you get into a routine and get used to going to the clinic.

The people here are great! Everyday we are greeted with a hug from Ariana. From the therapists to the nurses, everyone is kind. There are 3 IV rooms and I’m in IV room B. Everyone congregates in there to get their IVs and when you are called to do a therapy in another room you go except for a few you can do sitting down or the exercise “Vibe.” We also eat breakfast and lunch in there. Today’s lunch was a spicy lentil dish with carrots and onions.

I’m starting to be more myself and feeling at ease and being friendly with everyone including joking around. My favorite therapists are Teresa and Magni. I always feel comfortable talking with them but all are wonderful!

Today I had my first emotional counseling with the Best Practitioner Leslie. She mentioned that a doctor from Germany noticed when people have trauma they have certain rings in their brain scans. The location where you have the ring depicts what kind of trauma you have. I didn’t have a brain scan but I thought that very interesting. She then talked about how trauma takes you out of balance with your spirit, mind, and heart. When you are out of balance disease can creep in.

Right breast cancer and being left handed has to deal with trauma associated with the women in your life on my moms side. Common traumas and emotions can be multi-generational and as we talked about my family we could clearly see it on my moms side. It talked about all the emotions you have when your heart is not balanced and wow did I have them! She also said right as you are making good changes in your life after being out of balance with your heart for along time is when disease throws its head out and says “I’m here.” That is exactly what happened to me. I might not be explaining this well but it really opened up my eyes. What I learned is because life is so fast paced, we don’t take time to heal from our traumas. At least one of mine stems from the death of my little girl almost 16 years ago. We will go over more next week.

UVBI

Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation is a therapy I do every other day. They basically take your blood, mix it with a solution and run it through ultra violet light and put it back into your body. The ultraviolet light cleanses the blood from impurities, viruses, and other issues. It’s like a vaccination and heightens the body’s immune response and to kill infections. It helps white blood cell count as well. Here is a picture with my blood re-entering my body.

Yesterday I took a walk to the grocery store to get Mike some liquids to rehydrate himself. Let’s just say Montezuma’s revenge came to visit. The other pictures are of the Hope 4 Cancer Clinic and our resort which is right across the street.

Mike was eating chicken soup and rice on the balcony since that is all his stomach could handle last night. He’s feeling much better today.

I think that’s a wrap!!

Romans 8:24

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seethe, why doth he yet hope for?

Love,

Erin

February 27, 2023

Journal Entry by Erin Merkley — February 20, 2023

Weekend and Monday

I just love Sundays! We relaxed a lot!! We wanted to go to our church but unfortunately both of the local ones here are located on what you call, “The other side of the tracks.” Our patient coordinator looked it up and said it was far away and not a safe place to go on your own. Instead we slept in on Sunday and then went to breakfast. I had a veggie omelette with fruit and got a smoothie at the smoothie bar.

We then decided to walk the beach for the first time. It was gorgeous and the weather is not too hot this time of year because it is winter. I wouldn’t call it winter because for me it feels like end of May with some humidity. Winter where I live currently is 10 degrees yikes!! I’ll take this weather any day.

Most of the day was spent lounging on some lawn chairs while reading scriptures, taking naps, and eating grilled pineapple. I usually grab some everyday. Oh did I mention the beautiful view of the ocean while lounging?

We then zoomed with kids and ate in our bedroom. Room service is included as well. Mike started not feeling well after lunch so we stayed in the hotel room after having some seafood with our friends Holly and Jody( Red snapper corn tacos) yum!!!

Dinner-I had some cauliflower pizza with salad.

Monday February 20th

Today I did a new treatment which I have done before called Hydro colonics. It cleanses out your bowels by flooding your colon with clean water. Nothing like a tube being inserted in you know where! I am grateful though because I know it will help my health. In fact everyone can do it because we have lots of clogging up there . Just a warning don’t do it with a full bladder from my experience.

I am going to highlight one of my treatments today. It’s called Sono-Photo Dynamic Therapy. Basically I took an oral activator on my first day. This gets absorbed into cancer cells. When your body gets exposed to correct light and sound frequencies, the activator “explodes” into free radical oxygen which destroys cancer cells. When cancer cells die the immune system cells gets activated to get more involved.

Some examples of my light treatments that correlate with this treatment are:

Lumen Photon Therapy pads

Near infrared Heat lamps-I use a red one

Light bed-the bed kind of looks like a sun tanning bed.

Ultraviolet blood Irradiation

I also had my nutrition consultation. She took her finding from my hair DNA to see what my body was lacking. Mike was a good student and took a lot of notes. Most of my areas of concern were with my hormone, emotional, and circulatory system. along with my gut. The specialist recommended certain supplements I will need to start taking when I return home along with avoiding certain food like gluten, cows milk, meat except seafood. Some other foods that I need not eat a lot of were purple plums, eggplant, turkey, cucumbers and da da da GREEN BEANS! I can say I am not sad about green beans because I don’t like them. There were others but I don’t remember the whole list. I will get all this information on a flash drive to take home. I was recommended to detox from a lot of personal products and cleaning products because the majority of them are full of chemicals and xenoestrogens (xenoestrogens) are chemicals that mimic estrogen but are bad for your body.)

As of this moment, I am enjoying lounging on a big chair and writing this. I can hear the birds in the background and see the lizards hanging in the water fall wall. Mike isn’t feeling well. We think he ate something that didn’t agree with him so I’m hanging out side so he can rest.

Love,

Erin

February 19, 2023

February 18, 2023

Journal Entry by Erin Merkley — 22 hours ago

I’ve made it to the weekend!

Last night was so nice! We went to a nice dinner with a lot of the patients at the clinic including Jimmy the guitar player. He played some good tunes as we sang in line. We met a lovely lady Arlene who is just a day behind us and she ate with us. She is in her 70’s, works at a law firm owned by her husband, and also has breast cancer. She came by herself so we adopted her into our group. We had great conversations. We all seem to be on the same page with a lot of the same things. The dinner lasted for over two hours since we all talk a lot!! We are all trying our best to eat as healthy as possible. The resort suggests things especially for us as patients. We can always ask for specific things and tailor our meals according to our needs. Their gluten free bread is amazing!

Another non toxic therapy I do and love is The hyperbaric chamber.

It’s like a big tube that they zip you up in and they fill it with oxygen. You get to lie down with an oxygen mask and relaxthere for an hour. The air pressure changes so I had to yawn a few times to help my ears adjust to the pressure but it’s not bad. Cancer hates oxygen so the chamber gives your body plenty of it to fight cancer off. Die cancer die!! The two times I have done it, I listen to an audio and fall asleep because I am so relaxed. It’s one of my favorite things we do here.

I am now getting into a routine of the therapies that are basically the same thing almost everyday. The only different thing I did today was have my 2nd consultation with the doctor. Most of my blood work was normal except my liver enzyme levels and some immune blood work. I can’t remember the names exactly . They are going to give me the results in English next week so I can go over it more. They also found bacteria in my urine which I will do a urine culture to find out what that is.

We jumped into the pools for a quick swim and now we are off to get some sushi. I will do some vegetarian sushi. It’s ok to have fish but I think I don’t want to eat raw right now.

Tomorrow is our day off. I’m excited for a day of rest.

Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

The picture of the palm trees is outside my window and the food is chia pudding. Me in my robe doing PEMF.

February 19, 2023

February 16, 2023

Journal Entry by Erin Merkley — February 17, 2023

Day 2 and 3 days of treatment!

Every morning I get to take 2 supplement sprays by mouth so far. One is a vitamin D spray and another is one that activates T cells that respond to diseases in the body. This one has blue scorpion venom in it. Don’t worry I’m not being poisoned.

Yesterday was Jimmy's last day. He plays the guitar and at spiritual service he played the song Bright sunshiny day. That might not be the exact name but it was real nice and he also played a funny song about not having chemo. It was hilarious. He went through a-lot before coming here where his kidneys shut down with chemo and he decided to come here instead. I can’t upload video here but would be glad to share.

The doctor taught me how to do Sono dynamic therapy at home with a device. I run a probe along tumor and infected sites. It’s like giving yourself an ultrasound without seeing images but sound waves interact and destroys cancer cells.

Let me introduce you to the “Pizza Oven”

see picture above

You lie down in a bed and a dome covers your whole body except your head. Then your body starts heating up. When your body is at a heated state it activates the immune system to fight any disease that is inhibiting it.Cancer cells don’t like heat. When you get a fever, it’s the bodies way of saying something is wrong here and so we are going to fight it. That is why you get a fever. Fevers aren’t bad except when they get really high! My body heated up all the way to 104. I was sweating all over. I don’t think anyone would have appreciated a nice hug from me at that point. See the picture of my red face posted. Yes that is me after Hyperthermia aka “Pizza Oven.”

Did the Hyperbaric chamber for the first time and fell asleep while listening to an audio yesterday

UVBI-I’ll explain this one later.

Today February 17th I did the same treatments minus hyperthermia and UVBI.

On Thursday we walked to try and find grocery store and went the wrong direction. Decided we were too tired.

Ate at a buffet. I was really tired from Hyperthermia that is why this journal is coming late.

I did get a shot in the bum to help speed up immune system cancer fighting cells today It didn’t phase me from all the shots I got when getting pregnant two times with my last two kids.

Tonight we will go out to eat at a fancy restaurant here at the resort. I guess I better put a nice dress on tonight.

catch ya all later!!

Erin

February 16, 2023

A Plethora of treatments -2nd Day

I did a total of 12 treatments today! Wow! That’s a lot but it was amazing on how systematized their protocol is but with class and love. I won’t go into too much detail but I’ll try to explain a therapy each day or couple days or so since a lot of them I will be doing everyday. The names of the treatment probably seem to come from another world at least for me.

You don’t feel like a number here and I even got to learn some Spanish and teach some French at the same time. I can explain later.

The day before we were told we would do a thermography test. This is a test that looks for different heat temperatures in and around your body. Otherwise known as thermal imaging. This would help detect breast cancer and other abnormalities on your body that is non -invasive and pain free. You cant wear any fragrances, or wear deodorant the day of the test. Also you don’t want to eat a piping hot breakfast as it can detract from test.

They basically put this heat sensing wand on parts of your body and the machine beats and directs you where to put the next point. I myself did not do it but a wonderful technician performed it effortlessly. Before that the clinic starts out with a song, scripture, and prayer. It really is empowering when we look to Christ as our ultimate healing above everything else. People of all kinds of faith are there and they all join in with their worship in Christ. It’s just beautiful!

Back to my treatments! Here we go:

1.Echocardigram-to check function of heart.

2. Thermography

3. Vitamin C IV-hooked to it for 2 hours

After all of that I was able to have some breakfast. It was scrumptious salad with 3 kinds of berries, green juice, and this creamy smoothie that tasted like pumpkin but I wasn’t sure of everything that was in it. It was amazing though.

3. LED light bed-I fell asleep it was so relaxing.

4. Full Body exam with hair DNA sample taken for nutrition, toxins in body along with others.

5. Lymphatic exercise machine-basically your whole body jiggles.

6. B-17 IV

7. PEMF -pulse electromagnetic frequency

8. Near infrared red lamp

9. Coffee Enemas-it’s a fun story but I might spare you the details.

10. Ozone Therapy

11. Hyperthermia-localized called Indiba

12. Phono therapy

They almost did a 13th treatment for whole body hyperthermia but wanted to wait so they could open up my veins tomorrow better to put in an IV so I would have to have an arm catheter. I at least got a yummy coconut water out of it.

I then got lunch which was pepper soup with Broccoli and a carrot juice that tasted better than carrots along with a shot of apple cider vinegar.

Funnies:

Went into the IV room with my regular clothes on and the nurse comes in and tells me you need to get a robe on. I didn’t realize it even when everybody else has one on. I guess you could call me a newbie Lol.

A lady whenever she gets an IV put into her she has to wail real quick. I heard it two times. The nurse told me not to worry as that is her way to deal with a needle being stuck in her arm. I’ll never forget it!!!

The treatment today only lasted until 2:30 and then I was able to walk across the street to the resort and have dinner with Mike and our new friends Holly and Jody at an Italian Restaurant. Holly is a patient at Hope 4 Cancer and we are buds now. We plan on walking to treatment together everyday.

It was kind of a whirlwind today so I didn’t go into much detail.

Moroni 7:42

Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.

Picture is of my lunch in the IV Room. Maybe one day you will get a picture of me in my robe.

Here’s to a great start. Happy Wednesday!

Love,

Erin

February 15, 2023

2/14/2023

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Today I began my Breast Cancer Treatment at Hope4Cancer in Cancun Mexico. For those who don’t know me, I got diagnosed with stage 2B Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Breast Cancer in August of 2022. It has been a long journey with 6 months of fundraising, a move from Arizona to Utah, and lot of prayers. I want to journal my journey here for myself along with others.

We arrived in Cancun yesterday and were welcomed by transport from the airport to our resort “Live Aqua” from the Hope 4 cancer team. We ate at the resort at a yummy Mexican restaurant with an amazing server Nicolas. Mike and I both had appetizers, a fish dish Mahi Mahi and Grouper, and dessert. Last of the my desserts for awhile. I ordered Tres Leches and Mike ordered a corn cake. The corn cake was actually the best!

I woke up with great hope this morning and was able to watch the sun rise out of my ocean view room. The Earth is so beautiful!! We started the day at the clinic at 8am. I walked in and felt complete peace. The receptionists gave us a hug and then we were greeted by Katie who is the patient coordinator. We did the boring part of filling out paperwork and watching a introduction video. We then were taken back to the IV rooms. They have 3 and I filled out a health questionnaire, blood pressure was taken, and blood was drawn. I got to see some people who have been going through the treatment for a couple weeks. They were all so very friendly. I felt at home. Mixed in with all of this, I did a full body ultrasound from my neck to my groin. They want to be thorough as to see if anything has spread. I felt I have already been well taken care of. The SP activate was ingested. It is a special algae when activated by light and sound goes into cancer cells and starts to destroy them. I also got to do the fun urine and stool samples. They will build a final treatment protocol based on my blood tests, samples, and ultrasound. My doctors name is Doctor Mel (His Spanish name is too long to pronounce) and he went over my initial consult with me. He went over therapies, my health history, and the supplements I will be taking. Overall it was a good experience and I got to meet two other people in my group who be going through similar treatments. Holly who has the same breast cancer as me and Brian who is dealing with Melanoma stage 4. It was nice to talk to those who are in the same boat as me.

Meals

They provide meals to us for breakfast and lunch while we are here at the clinic.

Breakfast -scrambled tofu, beans and rice, green juice, apple cider vinegar shot, and a yummy coconut milk smoothie with cinnamon.

Lunch- chickpea soup, beet juice, kombucha shot, and blueberry pie made of healthy food that tasted great!

I’m excited to see what else they have in store for us.

For today, I’m going to enjoy sitting on the balcony and go see what the rest of the resort looks like.

Psalm 130:5

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Love,

Erin Merkley

February 5, 2023

I am nearing the end of fundraising for my breast cancer and although we don’t have all the funds raised, my mom so graciously wants to help with whatever we don’t have raised. I pray that we can get more money so her amount won’t need to be so huge. My mom endlessly serves her family because her love is so great. I pray I can be half the mom my mom so beautifully portrays. She is supportive, loyal, funny, and so giving. She is one of my best friends. Thank you mom for always being the shoulder I can cry on and the one who never gives up. She always finds a way to make life sweeter. I love you mom!

heart

January 3, 2023

December 14, 2022

It’s been three weeks since I last wrote and we are in full swing of fundraising. I can’t believe I only have 2 months before I go into treatment. We just finished up our online auction and we raised just under $1,000 dollars. I’m grateful for the donations and the people who participated. It wasn’t as much as I expected but it’s $1,000 more we didn’t have. We pray for miracles to happen as we scramble to put on the Gala January 6th! It’s going to be a lot of fun with dancing, performing, food, and fun activities. Who doesn’t want to dress up fancy once in awhile?

This year’s weather has been a lot colder since we moved back from Arizona. The girls are enjoying the snow and James looks in wonder what all the cold stuff is. We finally decorated the Christmas tree and are excited to enjoy a nice white Christmas close to family. Emily had her Christmas choir concert and Jesa had a lot of fun decorating a gingerbread house at preschool. I look forward to a couple days where we just relax and enjoy family. Praying for miracles to be able to raise at least 42k more if not more to cover the costs of travel and after care needs. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.

November 22, 2022

For thanksgiving week we decided to make Turkey cookies with the girls to share with friends. I’m grateful for my family and the opportunity to spend time with them. Check out the fun different cookies we all made.

November 18, 2022

Last weekend we spent time in Utah county reaching out to businesses for donations for our online auction

starting Black Friday. I am sad I didn’t record it with pictures but my older sister recorded my daughter talking to plants and encouraging them to grow. I’ll try to post it here.

November 18, 2022

November 11, 2022

Last night we left Vernal to go see my family in Utah county and work on some fundraising. We are gearing up for our Online Auction starting Black Friday. Family and friends are reaching out for donations so people can buy great items and services for Christmas. All the money raised will go toward my treatments. Our dear friend Pam Cox was so kind to let us stay at her place and the kids will be able to hang out with some of their old friends from the neighborhood. It’s fun to come back to our old stomping grounds. Most of our lives we have lived in Utah county so it’s like home.

November 10, 2022

Just yesterday I took a walk with the 2 youngest in the red wagon. It was nice to take a walk before the snow fell today.

November 9, 2022

This is Erin Merkley writing this post.

So our family has been in Vernal for a little over a week now. It has been an adjustment getting used to the cold again (I wear a sweater all day). I have always done that even when living in Utah before. I think I have always yearned for warmer weather. I do have to admit that I love seeing the fall leaves again. The kids love being close to Grandma and Grandpa Merkley and their Uncle Marty. The girls have now entered school. The oldest is in 4th grade and has already made friends since she is a social butterfly. My second is enjoying preschool that is just around the corner and our little caboose boy who is one is learning to use stairs. Dad has had to learn how to work remotely including putting up pictures telling the kids when they can enter our bedroom. It is different than him being away to work. The kids just want to come in and visit him all the time. As for me, I am unpacking while working on fundraising and learning how to take care of myself. Its hard when you are a mom and have 3 kiddos to take care of. I want to thank everyone for their kindness in donating during the "Booby Bucks fundraiser." We thought of it late because of the move and I think it was a great way to kick off my campaign as October was Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Stay tuned for other ways you can help and donate including:

Virtual Auction- November 25th-December 10th

Giving Tuesday on November 29th online

Hollywood Golden Age Gala- January 6th

November 4, 2022

Great news!

Testing has shown Erin's cancer to be confined to only her right breast and lymph nodes, not the left breast or anywhere else, and it is still stage 2. Yay!! Thank you all for your prayers.

Erin and Mike suddenly (though not impulsively) moved back to Utah to be near family. Stress exacerbates cancer, and with Mike working full time + building a business and doing gig work most of the other hours of his day, Erin has usually been home alone with the kids and not able to get much rest.

Through the loving counsel of their business mentor Kenyon, Mike and Erin decided to ask some questions, pray, and take initial steps toward making the change to see if things would work out.

And God has guided them by opening doors:

* Mike now works remotely.

* They have a home with Mike's brother Marty.

* Marty isn't married, no kids, owns his home and he felt the Spirit tell him they needed a

place.

* Marty's beloved dog passed away 3 days before, and he needed company.

* They were able to leave their month-to-month lease in Arizona without penalty.

* Mikes parents allow him to work in their spare room just down the street.

The Merkleys moved October 28th and their plan is to return to Arizona next July. God has been good to them, and they can now focus on saving money to get ahead so Mike can work less hours. That means he'll be home more and Erin will have more opportunity to rest and recover.

Can I get a hallelujah?!!