St. Charles East's Barry stays positive

It would be an understatement to say that the last three months have felt more like three years for Erienne Barry.

In late July, the talented St. Charles East volleyball player found out that her mother, Donna, had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I found out July 21,” recalled Barry. “My mom and dad sat down with us (older brother Bryce and younger brother Brannon) and the first thing she said was that she was not going to die from this.”

Despite the positive approach, just hearing the news that one of your parents has been diagnosed with cancer can be extremely shocking to your system, especially when you're a high school sophomore.

“We all had our ways with dealing it,” Barry said upon first learning the news. “I went to visit my best friend, Kelly Cada, and vented a little bit but only for a moment.”

Already a close family, Erienne said that her mom's diagnosis and promising prognosis has “brought us all together even more than before.”

“We're pulling through this together,” said Barry. “My mom is an amazing woman that I love very much.”

Fast-forward nearly 2 and a half months later to the scene at St. Charles East on Oct. 5, where the Saints were preparing to take on cross-town rival St. Charles North.

Prior to the match, Donna Barry and Robin Szarmach, the mother of Saints senior outside hitter Samantha and a 5-year breast cancer survivor, were among the honorees during the annual “Volley For The Cure” ceremonies.

Proceeds from the breast cancer fundraiser benefited the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Midway through the opening game, the Saints' starting setter raced toward the far corner with her back to the net to try and keep the ball alive before crumbling to the floor.

“I remember running toward the ball and cutting to my right,” said Barry. “The next thing you know, I'm lying on the ground in pain.”

The next day, doctors told Barry that she had suffered a season-ending knee injury to be exact, a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).

“It was a freak accident,” said Barry.

Called “a clean tear” by her doctor, Barry was scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday (Oct. 27).

However, she was able to get a head-start on her recovery even before the surgery.

“She has already been rehabbing two times a week,” said Erienne's dad, Blake. “Her doctor was amazed at the movement she had with her knee along with the very little swelling involved.”

Barry, who was listed as one of the “Frosh 59-Best High School Playing Freshmen of 2009” by PrepVolleyball.com, is expected to be sidelined for at least six months.

While the injury will cut into her club season (Fusion), it may also keep her from participating in the invitation-only tryouts for the Junior Olympic National Team in April.

The mishap will definitely keep her sidelined from high school postseason play, as the fourth-seeded Saints begin Class 4A regional action Thursday night at Glenbard North.

“At first, I wondered what I was going to do,” said Barry, who had never experienced a major injury before. “But I give credit to my teammates. When I told them that I was out and couldn't play again ‘til April, they told me, ‘you're going to get through this.'”

Being told you can't play a sport you love is tough but Barry quickly put it all into perspective.

“It's a whole new experience for me because it's the first time I've been out (of volleyball) since fifth grade,” said Barry. “But I think of what my mom is going through and she's definitely an inspiration for dealing with this injury.”

Barry saves a personal thank you for teammate Sam Szarmach.

“She is one tough girl,” said Barry. “When she heard about my mom, she sat down and talked to me. She told me that she'd always be there for me.”

Her family is Erienne's biggest support group.

“My dad is a very strong man,” she added. “He's a great guy who is optimistic about everything.

“And Bryce is my best friend,” Erienne said of her brother, who is a redshirt freshman football player attending Butler University. “Having him leave for school was definitely hard. I'm not used to being the oldest one in the house. But I talk to him every day.

“Our family is so close. We're all there for each other.”

Brannon recently helped lead St. Charles East's freshman ‘A' football team to an undefeated season.

The prognosis for both mother and daughter is an excellent one.

“Donna underwent a lumpectomy and just finished with her radiation treatment,” said Blake. “Her doctors told us that everything looks good and she'll have to make visits every six months.”

Erienne, meanwhile, can't wait to return to the volleyball court.

“This is only going to make me a better player,” she said. “My knee is going to be my best friend.

“I can't look at the negative side because that will only hold you back.”