Humbly Asking for Support

Hello, my name is Julie Brennan. I am a 43-year-old wife, mother of two wonderful children, and a dedicated nurse with 22 years of experience. For the past 4 years, I have been running my own home daycare, which has allowed me to care for children and build lasting relationships with their families. However, my life has taken an unexpected turn after being diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, a condition that has drastically impacted my health and ability to care for my family as I once did.

In September of 2024, after battling unexplained health problems for over 6 years, an MRI on my brain revealed that I have a tumor on my pituitary gland, which has caused my body to produce excessive levels of cortisol. This condition, known as Cushing’s disease, has taken a toll on me in many ways. The symptoms include weight gain, high blood pressure, heart problems, memory issues, infections, and even depression. At times, I’ve felt like I didn’t recognize the person I used to be—once active and independent, now struggling with even the simplest daily tasks.

After a year and a half of tests and medical procedures, I am scheduled to undergo a transsphenoidal brain surgery on April 16, 2025, to remove the pituitary tumor. The hope is that this will bring me closer to remission and allow me to regain some semblance of normalcy in my life. While I am hopeful for recovery, I know that the road ahead will be challenging.

As a small business owner, I do not have disability insurance, and therefore, I am not eligible for government assistance while I recover from the surgery. This means that my family will solely rely on my husband’s income during this time. Unfortunately, we depend on both of our incomes to cover the basic needs for our family and home. On top of that, we have already incurred significant costs from traveling back and forth between Amherstburg and London for numerous appointments. The financial burden will only increase as I undergo surgery, stay in the hospital for an unknown amount of time, and my husband has to cover hotel stays during my hospitalization. Additionally, there will be follow-up visits to London that will require more travel expenses.

As a nurse, I never imagined that I would find myself on the other side of the healthcare system, but here I am, humbly reaching out to my community for help. I’m asking for assistance to help cover medical and living expenses while I am recovering from surgery. Every little bit helps, and your generosity will ensure that my family can stay afloat during this challenging time.

I truly appreciate any support, whether financial or in the form of kind words and prayers. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for being a part of my journey. Your kindness means more to me than words can express.