Erika LaLoggia: Prevailing with Faith, Joy & Essential Oils

Erika, can you briefly walk us through your story – a little about yourself and your experience as a childhood cancer mom?

At the time of Olivia’s leukemia diagnosis I had been a freelance media buyer working part-time, volunteering in her first grade class and attempting to manage the household with another child two 1/2 years younger than Olivia. The day of her diagnosis, I walked away from working and was fortune to do so and be her health care advocate & companion. I took it upon myself to be all in to help her through her 2 year, 4 month treatment.

When you came to our organization what did you already know and what did you learn from getting Olivia’s Rooms to Thrive™?
Most things natural, yet didn’t have the resources or bandwidth to implement or the gusto to start.

How did a Rooms to Thrive™ impact Olivia?
Providing a place where she could emotionally & physically heal. In addition to feeling the tremendous amount of love and support from the CNF community.

How’s Olivia? Does she have any upcoming milestones or anniversaries coming up?
She just passed her 6 year diagnosis date and just turned 13.

When we installed Olivia’s Rooms to Thrive™ Were there any vendors you loved or that stood out during install week?
Mattress Makers — Their kindness, hospitality & easy going attitude. Also, their most comfortable bed. Olivia is now ‘princess & the pea’ because she know what true comfort is.

You are such a faithful woman of faith. I love your love for Jesus. How did you lean on him in Olivia’s season of treatment? And what scripture do you standing on in her years of thrivorship?

Well, I feel like this trial was an opportunity for the Lord to show off how His words in scripture came to life. I have an entire page of scripture collected that helped me personally through her treatment. Also, I see how Jesus had deployed his troops and rallied around us in prayer and physical needs. Nothing was neglected by Him.

This is how Olivia lives:

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is how I yearn to live:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let's Talk About Essential Oils

You are a huge advocate of essential oils, will you tell us why, what are essential oils and why you think everyone should use them?
Essential oils come from plants, it’s their lifeblood that keeps them from becoming sick by disease or infestation. They are hydrophobic and have the unique ability to penetrate our cell walls where viruses can lurk. Aside from just physiological benefits they also help mental change (think about how you feel when you peel open an orange). We’ve been using them for years and once I had these powerful little tools I was able to help avoid many doctors visits due to the common cold/respiratory problem and replace many OTC medicines in my household. Every household should use them as there are no toxic side effects, no recalls and have an incredibly long shelf life. They are multifaceted and have been used throughout history for thousands of years.

Can people use any kind of essential oil or should it be a certain brand?
There are some popular brands on the market; the top ones are multilevel marketing (which provides opportunities for income for true brand aficionados). Make sure that the brand you chose is “therapeutic grade” if you are looking for a medicinal response is essential. Brand integrity is also essential. I personally use DoTerra because they help establish ethical farming practices across the world in countries where the plant species can thrive and they lab test every batch to make sure that the compounds are effective so you can ensure that every bottle will produce the therapeutic response you are looking for.

During treatment what were some of your favorite blends and what did you use them for?
I would use Balance (grounding) & Serenity (calming) for the dreadful port access & de-accessing. I would diffuse lemongrass. I would rub frankincense along her spine. On Guard (protective) to prevent illness and clean surfaces. These are just a few I relied on. There were so many!

In all you experience and wisdom what advice would you give to a new mom? What advice would you give to a mama with a child newly diagnosed with cancer?
Pray. Be their medical advocate, it’s your child not the hospitals. Take them out in nature. Do what you think is best for them, not just what is recommended. Pray. Trust your instincts. Be joyful. Exercise. Praise God. Stick up for them. Pray. Be the pillar of strength they need you to be because they will reflect you. Find the good. Take one step at a time. Pray. Live day-to-day. Read the Word. Make sure they are drinking purified water, eating as clean as possible (staying away from artificial foods first, lowering sugar intake). Thank God for the opportunity to be with your child and have hope.

OK, so you've recently started an organization, will you tell us about it and what are you hopes for the future (let's say the next 5 years)?

Prevailing Crowns was started to help children going through cancer treatment feel a sense of normalcy when they are experiencing hair loss. We provide hat/hair kits for them to attach their cut off hair into braids. I also want to make sure that children and their parents hear a story of hope that resulted after a long treatment. Sadly, most stories that those in the hospital hear don’t have the outcomes we hope for. Olivia’s story is God’s story of faith, hope, obedience, healing & joy throughout her journey. Our goals in the next 5 years are to get more internal support and distribute with a broader reach.

Check out Olivia’s Rooms to Thrive™ HERE