Then a few weeks passed by and we get another message from Erica, she had somehow stumbled upon our blog here and read Rocco's birth story. She said she was in tears and wanted to immediately send Rocco the T-shirts and welcome him to her team of reps. We were so excited that first someone actually did come over from Instagram to look through the blog I have put so much personal work into and that he would be repping for another awesome brand of clothing! They sent him a large package of t'shirts to begin wearing and taking photos in and sharing to our followers on Instagram.
Now about another month has passed and Erica shares a little bit of personal information about herself to her Instagram followers. She is a mother of 4 beautiful children. But something else she shared I never saw coming. She says she is fighting a battle against Breast Cancer, and her form of the cancer is called HER2+ a very aggressive type of cancer. Her doctors have changed her time left on earth from 6 months to 3 months to the most recent visit in which they said less than 30 days. I was so devastated hearing her news. I struggle to understand why this is happening to such a beautiful person with 4 beautiful children that may be left motherless and with no other family around for support.
A few days pass from her heartbreaking news but I can't get her off of my mind. I then make a post on Instagram about Erica's heartbreaking story and the struggles she must feel every day and about a small struggle we faced that day about Rocco's medicine; how upset and panicked I felt because his insurance wouldn't pay for his medicine. This medicine is necessary and we have to get it refilled every 2 weeks. I am fearful of what may happen if Rocco even misses one dose, we have been warned as to what can happen. His current bottle of medicine was set to expire that evening but I didn't have any new medicine for the next day. After a few panicked screams to the pharmacist (poor guy) I beg him to make the medicine and I would pay out of pocket, I didn't care what it cost, please just make his medicine. He hesitantly obliged and we got what we needed that evening. Thank goodness! Erica messaged me with worry throughout the evening, I assured her we got what we needed as soon as we picked it up.
Two days pass, Erica messages me. She wants to help Rocco with his medical expenses by selling all of her Cowboy & Indian tees she has left on hand and put the money in a fund for us to use when we need to cover a medical expense that insurance will not cover for Rocco. I first told her that I wouldn't want to take away anything from herself or her children. I also explained that I have never asked for any help because quite honestly I'm fearful that if I did ask than possibly Rocco's health would take a turn for the worst as if I'm asking for the universe to make that happen. Its weird but it's just my thoughts. There may be a day when we do need help, maybe when he is ready for open heart surgery - god hoping that it is still years away. But I just could never ask right now. Erica went on to pretty much insist on helping Rocco out, she strongly feels that we have crossed paths for a reason. That God put him in her life for a reason.
Here is a photo of Rocco wearing R&R's Cowboy and Indian tee in black
I feel just the opposite of Erica, I feel like God put her in our path for a reason. I am just blown away by her generosity, love, her selfless will to support another human being. I start to cry when I think about her. The struggles she must face every day. To undergo more treatment and be so sick and weak to even enjoy her children or to go about her way and keep the faith that she will be ok. Someone that has so much on her own plate and still wants to help us! She is god sent. She breaks my heart and makes it sing all at the same time. I want to be a better person because of her. I want to know how I can help HER and HER CHILDREN.
Maybe one day soon what I can do for Erica will come into light, something to show her all the love we feel for her as she has shown for us. All I want is for this brave, kind-hearted, loving woman is to be around for her four young children.
We love you so much mama and thank you for being so supportive and caring to Rocco. You are a gift in our lives.
Below are the tees that she is donating on behalf of Rocco,
the cowboy & indian tee specifically. They are all only $12!
Here are a few more shots of Rocco in his black Cowboy & Indian tee
Click the above link to order your tee! Only $12!
Here are a few photos of Rocco wearing the gray Cowboy & Indian tee
Click the above link to order your tee! Only $12!
We have promised Erica that we would spread the word. Rocco is not the only little child that she is donating her proceeds to. She is donating the proceeds of three other tee sales to help other children in need.
Below are some of the other tees she is selling to help children in need.
Giving 100% of her profits to them.
The Anchor tee #nevergiveup #presson (also available in gray and baseball tee style)
The Heart Grenade tee (also available in white and baseball style)
The Play Hard tee (also available in gray and baseball tee style)
Here is her website again if you know of a child that would love to have a great tee for a great cause! Support a woman with a heart of GOLD giving back to children when she herself is fighting a battle of her own.
Here is a link to her instagram if you would like to find out who else the tee sales are helping! instagram.com/rebelsandrascalsapparel
xoxo - Christy
