Donate to Julie's Life-Saving Surgeries

A post by Julie said every thing that I couldn’t express any better-

A few months ago, I had my routine annual physical at my Primary Dr’s office. He said I looked great but seemed a bit tired. I told him about some of the stress I’d been through and he reminded me about taking time for myself and that I wouldn’t be able to do all I wanted for my family unless I took better care of myself . You know , eat better, get more exercise, and sleep . He then wanted a chest CT because as a life long smoker, I get one every year ..

The next day, I got the call that all smokers fear . There was a mass present in my right lung and he would be sending me to a pulmonologist immediately for further tests .. after another series of scans, ct’s, and lab work, yep, fucking Cancer. But the good news was that it was Stage 1 Adenocarcinoma and could “easily” be removed.

Then came the complication . I was sent to my cardiologist for clearance for surgery . I have a history of mild arterial stenosis and a heart murmur. After some more tests, it was discovered that I also have Severe Aortic Stenosis. This would need to be addressed before any cancer treatment or surgery . After a bunch of more tests, it was determined that I need an Aortic Valve Replacement. I was originally sent to Rochester, had the consult, and more tests, but due to their (let’s say issues with ) scheduling , I couldn’t get a good treatment plan or surgery date .. then last week, Wednesday I had another consult at St Joseph’s . Finally, I was in a place where I was heard, respected and given some options for both of my life threatening diseases . Jeff and I continually discussed what was best for me .

I was immediately scheduled for heart surgery this coming Monday .. followed by lung surgery on Wednesday . They will replace my aortic valve and then remove the middle lobe from my right lung.

Yes , it’s a lot, Yes, I am afraid .. yes I am guilty of “giving myself Cancer from smoking”, yes I worry for my husband and about how my kids and grandkids will manage without the Queen, yes, we are financially strapped , yes, we have had other tragedies to simultaneously absorb, and yes, I kept this quiet. Forgive me, if you were out of the loop. It’s been exhausting and My family needed privacy to process all of this and eliminate the stress of being questioned and not having any answers .. until now .

To my loving family, children, grandchildren and siblings, my closest of friends and my supportive coworkers, thank you all for respecting my privacy all of this time .. I needed you all and you stepped up with so much love and time and instilled a confidence in me that I was at times, lacking .