
Giving Back to Julie
Donation protected
Julie's story begins in the summer of 2014 when she was diagnosed with Stage-3 breast cancer. She endured months of chemotherapy, a double-mastectomy, radiation and later reconstructive surgery. Throughout the difficult journey, Julie remained strong & focused on beating her cancer, which she had named "Oscar"; as in the Grouchy Green Trash Can Monster from Sesame Street. She has always had a passion for children and loved her job working with the children at Little Lambs Preschool. The children truly loved Miss Julie as well. During and after her treatment, she made her experience a way to support other women with breast cancer by offering them support, guidance and resources. Just one week prior to her stroke, Julie was again offering such support when she provided help and guidance to a gentlemen she had just met who was suffering with cancer. Her family and friends supported her all along the way and some even participated in a Bee Brave 5K Run/Walk, in October 2014, raising funds for breast cancer research. In spring 2015, with great celebration, Julie was declared cancer-free!! She had beaten Oscar!! To celebrate her victory, Julie and her husband Chuck took a trip to Hawaii and looked forward to a bright and healthy future.
Fast forward to early 2018, Julie started experiencing shortness of breath and a CT scan revealed fluid around her lungs and that she had a slight enlarged heart. The following day an echo cardiogram was completed on her heart, which reveled damage to one of the valves showing it was operating at only 20%. This damage was caused by the chemotherapy (known as Cardio Toxicity). The following day during a needle biopsy (Thoracentesis) of the fluid, on March 1st, Julie suffered a stroke. She was rushed from Spectrum Pennock Hospital in Hastings to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital ER, in Grand Rapids, where we received the sad news that she had suffered severe brain damage in her left brain resulting in right-side paralysis, speech and cognitive issues. Julie spent 16 days in the Critical Care Unit, then transferred to the stroke unit where she spent two additional days, before being transferred to Spectrum Rehab Facility. Julie then began a long, difficult journey of rehab. She has repeatedly revealed her strength and spirit by enduring a ventilator, grueling tests, painful treatments and challenging physical therapy on a daily basis. The past months have been a virtual roller-coaster due to her heart issue, spasticity in her right leg and foot, as well as multiple other complications, setbacks and difficulty finding the proper balance of medications.
Along the way, medical insurance issues have made getting her treatment needs difficult. She has been through approximately 2 weeks of rehabilitation at Spectrum Rehab Facility, then 4 weeks of rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed in Grand Rapids, back home for in-home therapy for a few weeks, then, because of setbacks for various reasons, has been in and out of the hospital, as well as another almost 2 weeks of rehab at Mary Free Bed (not covered by insurance). Chuck has been working tirelessly day and night with God's grace and doing a marvelous job of advocating for her and doing what's best for her; which is what one would want done for themselves if they could not speak the words. Julie's team of doctors are finding that their options are becoming limited given the condition of her heart and the effects of the stroke. In the meantime, Julie will be at home trying to get her heart strengthened with medication. She will need round-the-clock care, as well as daily professional in-home care, which will not be covered by insurance, contributing to the financial strain that has been building over these past months. The costs have been significant and will continue to be.
Those who know Julie know that her big heart has compelled her to always be there for anyone in need and the Lord has blessed so many people through her support and actions. She has always had a unique ability to know what people need even when they did not know they needed it themselves. She goes above and beyond to provide whatever is needed. Be it a helping hand, resources or sometimes just her love and prayers. At this time of need, here is our opportunity for 'Giving Back to Julie'. Her family is so grateful for all of the support: thoughts, prayers and expressions of love that she has received. It is with great faith that we continue on to whatever God has in store.
OCTOBER 2014 - BEE BRAVE 5K RUN/WALK




Fast forward to early 2018, Julie started experiencing shortness of breath and a CT scan revealed fluid around her lungs and that she had a slight enlarged heart. The following day an echo cardiogram was completed on her heart, which reveled damage to one of the valves showing it was operating at only 20%. This damage was caused by the chemotherapy (known as Cardio Toxicity). The following day during a needle biopsy (Thoracentesis) of the fluid, on March 1st, Julie suffered a stroke. She was rushed from Spectrum Pennock Hospital in Hastings to Spectrum Butterworth Hospital ER, in Grand Rapids, where we received the sad news that she had suffered severe brain damage in her left brain resulting in right-side paralysis, speech and cognitive issues. Julie spent 16 days in the Critical Care Unit, then transferred to the stroke unit where she spent two additional days, before being transferred to Spectrum Rehab Facility. Julie then began a long, difficult journey of rehab. She has repeatedly revealed her strength and spirit by enduring a ventilator, grueling tests, painful treatments and challenging physical therapy on a daily basis. The past months have been a virtual roller-coaster due to her heart issue, spasticity in her right leg and foot, as well as multiple other complications, setbacks and difficulty finding the proper balance of medications.
Along the way, medical insurance issues have made getting her treatment needs difficult. She has been through approximately 2 weeks of rehabilitation at Spectrum Rehab Facility, then 4 weeks of rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed in Grand Rapids, back home for in-home therapy for a few weeks, then, because of setbacks for various reasons, has been in and out of the hospital, as well as another almost 2 weeks of rehab at Mary Free Bed (not covered by insurance). Chuck has been working tirelessly day and night with God's grace and doing a marvelous job of advocating for her and doing what's best for her; which is what one would want done for themselves if they could not speak the words. Julie's team of doctors are finding that their options are becoming limited given the condition of her heart and the effects of the stroke. In the meantime, Julie will be at home trying to get her heart strengthened with medication. She will need round-the-clock care, as well as daily professional in-home care, which will not be covered by insurance, contributing to the financial strain that has been building over these past months. The costs have been significant and will continue to be.
Those who know Julie know that her big heart has compelled her to always be there for anyone in need and the Lord has blessed so many people through her support and actions. She has always had a unique ability to know what people need even when they did not know they needed it themselves. She goes above and beyond to provide whatever is needed. Be it a helping hand, resources or sometimes just her love and prayers. At this time of need, here is our opportunity for 'Giving Back to Julie'. Her family is so grateful for all of the support: thoughts, prayers and expressions of love that she has received. It is with great faith that we continue on to whatever God has in store.







Organizer and beneficiary
Karen Wilcox
Organizer
Orangeville, MI
charles Kukulis
Beneficiary