NATCHEZ — A hurricane, breast cancer and a house fire haven’t beaten a Ferriday woman yet.

But Leah Lewis says she is unsure of what her future will bring after her home was destroyed this week in an electrical fire.

Lewis woke up from an afternoon nap Monday by the incessant barking of her poodle, Lucky.

When Lewis’ 23-year-old daughter, Keisha, went to quiet the dog, she found smoke billowing out of the back of her mother’s house.

“I’m glad I call (the dog) Lucky,” Lewis said. “Because luck got me out of here alive.”

Since the fire, Lewis has continued her cancer treatment while living in a hotel. Lucky is staying with Lewis’ oldest daughter, since the hotel doesn’t accept animals.

Lewis, a member of Return of Hope Church in Ferriday, said she was taking emotional refuge in her faith.

“I’m trying to trust in the Lord to keep me through,” Lewis said. “I’ve been through two surgeries so far.”

Lewis has lived in Ferriday since 2005, when she left New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Her mother died around the same time.

Lewis’ ultimate goal is to rebuild her house, but she isn’t sure when that will be possible, since she is too ill to return to work.

“I put all my savings in that house,” Lewis said. “It’ll be hard to get it back how it was.”

She said a local contractor had offered to try and help her at a reasonable price, but in the meantime, she hopes to rent an apartment and buy a generator to power it.

“I wouldn’t be able to pay for the (electricity,)” Lewis said.

Those who wish to help Lewis can contact her at 318-758-3257. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 957, Ferriday, LA 71334.