Juil's Healing from Breast Cancer Fund

Aloha Dear Family and Friends,

I wanted to personally share my story…

On January 24 this year, my whole world turned upside down when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I was devastated, as I lost my mother to breast cancer 18 years ago. She was only 58 years old.

It's still so surreal, and I have been on an immense and profound journey over the last nine months. 

I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) after finding a lump in my right breast in November of last year. TNBC is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer with the highest rates of reoccurrence and the most difficult of all breast cancers to treat.

I am also positive for the BRCA 2 gene mutation. So that makes it an even more difficult situation.

Fortunately, I was diagnosed at early stage 2a with no lymph node involvement.

This gives me hope, although I know I have a serious situation.

I've had to endure a lot this year, having surgery back in March and currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

I honestly never thought I would do chemotherapy. I had to ask for a lot of guidance. And it came in many forms. I had to listen to my intuition, and this was the path I chose for myself.

I have also started to receive a new treatment called Immunotherapy (Keytruda) which I will be on for one year; this also comes with its own slew of side effects.

I am doing all I can so cancer never returns in my body. This is why I chose to do chemotherapy and immunotherapy as well as alternative therapies.

I have to live with the fact that if cancer ever came back, it would then be stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. 

I must do everything I can to stay positive and healthy and ensure this never happens. 

With the surgery and all of the treatment's side effects, I have been unable to work this year. This has been challenging as a single mother and business owner. I have missed my community and being present at my shop. This year is the 19th anniversary of Perfect Harmony being open in downtown Hilo. Thank you to all who have supported my business over the years. I truly love being a part of our beautiful Big Island community and the incredible people I have met over the last two decades. 

I am forever grateful for the beautiful crew I have helping me keep my business open.

It has not been easy, and I pray I can continue to keep it going.

I look forward to returning to work and a beautiful life when I start feeling more myself.

Chemo treatments have been very taxing on my body, mind and spirit.

It feels as though I have been living in an alternate reality. It's hard to describe.

All the love and support from my family and friends have kept me going, and I am so blessed and grateful to everyone who has been here for Malu and me. 

My next goal after finishing chemotherapy is to go to a specialized healing and recovery center in November for three weeks to strengthen my immune system, cleanse from the chemotherapy and prepare my body for the next surgery in January.

It's been a challenging and emotional time, and I look forward to being complete with chemo and beginning my next healing journey so that cancer never returns.

Since I have not been able to work this year, it’s taken a big toll on my finances.

I had to be away from home for six weeks to have surgery and recover. I am also under the care of a naturopathic physician, functional medicine doctor, receiving high dose Vitamin C every week, acupuncture and keeping up with all the necessary supplements to help with the side effects of chemotherapy and prevent cancer from returning.

I still have quite the journey ahead. My second surgery is scheduled for January 16 and it will take about 4-6 weeks to heal from that surgery. I will have to be off island and away from home for that as well. 

I am humbly asking for assistance with medical expenses, living expenses, time at the healing center, continuing necessary supplements, alternative medicine therapies and whatever life throws me in the next year until I get through the next surgery and treatments. 

I have been on a deep inward journey and focused on healing.

My mind is strong and will get through this.

I just need this time to focus on healing without worrying about finances.

All of this is a lot to share personally. I wasn't ready for the world to know what I have been going through. I now realize it's time for me to release and let go and be open to receiving love and support however it may come. I realize this is a part of the healing as well.

I know I have started on a forever altered path.

Everything has changed to the core. Thank you for being here with me.

I look forward to getting through these intense treatments, living the rest of my life in full health and happiness, and watching my son, Malu, grow to be an amazing man.

I am so proud of him. He has so much love in his heart. 

It’s not easy turning 13 and seeing your mother go through being diagnosed with breast cancer, surgery and chemotherapy.

He has been a gem and so caring. 

I want to keep supporting him in his growth and passions. I want to be there for him in every way possible. 

So much gratitude for all of your love and support. I am truly blessed with so many wonderful family and friends in this life.

Thank you for reading my story and helping me continue on my healing journey so that I can live a long life cancer free.

Please share my story so that I can continue on this healing path. I am determined to do everything I can to heal and be completely cancer free. 

I love you all dearly, 

Juil