Mom Passes Out While Playing With 6-Year-Old Son. The Reason Is Heartbreaking
Ignoring The Messages
She let the buzzing and pinging go unnoticed but knew she couldn’t go on like this when the phone calls started coming in. She would have to respond.
She replied to a few messages saying that her son had gotten a hold of her phone. A few were shocked at how tired and malnourished she looked in the picture, but they hadn’t known the truth.
Taking A Photo
Public Domain
Erica Olofsson was a thirty-year-old social worker and mother to the best kid a mother could ask for named Luke. They lived in San Francisco, California.
Erica managed her time between work and her son while they lived a simple and happy life. When her son snapped a photo that seemed harmless, she was unaware of the implications.
Starting A New Life
Public Domain
Erica had grown up an independent woman and had proven it by not groveling or wallowing when the relationship with Luke’s father ended. There was no point living in the past.
Alternatively, she and her son started a new life where they would be happy. There was no way of knowing that the happiness wouldn’t last and that chaos would soon fill her home.
Daily Routine
Pexels – Andrea Piacquadio
Her new life became simple with working during the day while Luke was at school. She would leave at four to pick him up, and they’d go home.
They would get comfortable and work on Luke’s homework together before dinner. They watched kid’s films before Luke’s bedtime, and the daily routine suited them. But it wouldn’t always be that way.
A Quick Nap
Pexels – Anna Shvets
That week had included a change neither of them saw coming. It was a calm Sunday afternoon, and they had been playing with Legos when Erica had fallen asleep.
She had only been asleep for a few minutes, but what was done was done. Her son was standing over her with her phone in his hands and a smile when her eyes opened. What did he do?
When She Woke Up
Pexels – Gustavo Fring
Erica greeted Luke with a smile and reached for the six-year-old. He crouched down and then curled into her body as they lay on the carpet.
Erica was still sleepy when she took the phone from her son but shot right up when she saw what was on her phone. What had he done?
Harmless Photo
Public Domain
While his mom had been sleeping, Luke had taken a harmless photo of her. Erica found that he had accidentally posted it on Instagram and worried what her friends and family would think.
Would they question her ability to look after her kid? She felt a sting in her belly and rubbed at it as she reached for Luke. She hissed out a breath to ease the worry, thinking that a small photo was nothing compared to what she had going on.
Juice And Fruits
Pexels – Gustavo Fring
Erica and Luke went to the kitchen to search for snacks after she had set her phone aside. They enjoyed their fruits and juice and returned to the Legos on the carpet.
She cursed silently when her phone pinged with messages. She knew that people were taking notice of the photo Luke had taken.
Needed To Respond
Pexels – Pixabay
She let the buzzing and pinging go unnoticed but knew she couldn’t go on like this when the phone calls started coming in. She would have to respond.
She replied to a few messages saying that her son had gotten a hold of her phone. A few were shocked at how tired and malnourished she looked in the picture, but they hadn’t known the truth.
Hospital Visits
Public Domain
Most of the comments were correct with their descriptions of her, but she couldn’t say that being a mother had left her malnourished and exhausted.
Erica had frequented the hospital for the past couple of weeks before the photo, and what she had endured while there was reason enough for her appearance.
Her Family
Pexels – Rose Dudley
Most of Erica’s family lived on the East Coast, with the nearest family member being in Arizona. Additionally, Erica wasn’t that close with her family, to begin with.
She didn’t want to bother them with her problems, no matter how challenging they were. She’d always found a way out of her problems. That wasn’t about to change now.
The Reason
Public Domain
Erica assured everyone that she was doing fine. But the truth was that she had been diagnosed with stage 2 stomach cancer about two months before.
She was currently undergoing two different chemotherapy treatment programs, each of which, combined with the pressure the cancer was putting on her body, was why her life had changed so much. But despite everything that she was going through, one thing never changed.
Everything Stays The Same
Public Domain
Erica never changed her dynamic with Luke. She still showed up at his school at 4 pm to pick him up, helped him freshen up, ate dinner, and watched his favorite movies.
She also took the time out of her resting schedule to play with him over the weekend. Speaking to a local reporter, she would finally reveal everything to the world, including the state of her health.
Her Fight
Public Domain
Erica shared her fight with cancer and how much it had all changed her life. She revealed that she sometimes wanted to stay in bed and not get out, but thinking about her son made her wake up and face the day head-on.
She also shared that everything she was doing was for little Luke, who, despite his young age, had realized something was wrong with her. But the news about her health would leave everyone speechless.
A Harmless Photograph
Public Domain
Erica revealed that each round of chemotherapy, although taxing on her physical and mental wellness, worked well in helping her combat the cancerous cells. Her doctors were impressed with her treatment response and were projecting a speedy recovery. Strangers, family, and friends visited Erica, surrounding her with their love and support. To think it all started with a harmless photograph.
Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.
