Julie's Fight like a Mommy Campaign

When I think of my friend Julie the first word that comes to mind is Mom, Her life has revolved around kids, not only being an amazing mom to her own 2 kids, she is also what she calls a bonus Mom to her Fiancés 2 daughters as well, she had worked as a preschool teacher for many years before starting her own cleaning company and she has worked hard to get to this point so she could be able to be her own boss make her own hours and be able to do what is most important to her which is to be there for her 4 kids.

And this is about her fight to get better and be there for them for many, many years to come!!!

Here is Julie’s story-

I am a 29 year old mommy and bonus mommy, a residential cleaning company owner, and wife. In September, our family moved to an amazing house and I was starting to make great contacts in our new area to continue to build my client base and hopefully hire some help. About 4 weeks ago I found a rather large breast lump in my right breast just accidentally running my hand over it one day. I of course was scared and worried and made a doctors appointment right away. From the minute I felt it, I had a very uneasy feeling. My doctor checked it and said it is probably a cyst or thickening of tissue... I am 29 and chances it's ANYTHING else is SOOOOO very unlikely. She scheduled an ultrasound and next week I was at a women’s imaging office. Crazy part, the ultrasound tech and I went to JUNIOR HIGH and HIGH SCHOOL together!!!! We chatted and caught up with each other. She did the ultra sound and said she would show the doctor... still worried BUT I'm only 29 and breast cancer doesn’t run in my family, so not super worried just yet. The tech came back saying the doctor would like a mammogram now....EEK which they normally do NOT do on anyone under 40 UNLESS there is a reason!!! ok...I'm sure I'm still fine the doctor is just being careful. After having my poor boob smooshed like crazy I sat and waited........ She came back saying they need to do ANOTHER ultra sound... panic is setting in but I'm holding it together still at this point. After the final ultra sound I wait and the doctor wanted to now show me the results. Going into the office there are at least 4 screens up with my pictures of my right breast on the screen clearly showing 2 tumors. The doctor explained everything to me and how one showed on the ultrasound and the another was found in a mammogram. He then explained there is still not to much to worry about and are most likely benign at my age. He then goes on to say he is slightly concerned of the shape and blood flow but we can just wait to see if they grow or go away or if I want, I can have a biopsy.... I right away wanted the biopsy... I NEEDED to know and I AM SO THANKFUL I WENT WITH MY GUT!!!! My amazing husband went with me and we had a biopsy of both tumors and then waited! Friday October 9th while cleaning away at a clients home I got a call from my doctor saying I needed to come in and to bring someone with me... Kurt and I held hands waiting to hear and the doctor told me what I feared so very much! YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER. I cant even remember what I thought other than about my kids and how I would tell them, how this would effect them, and how this would change our life forever. I have now been referred to a breast surgeon right off the bat, who my dad and I went and met just the other day. She was amazing in explaining everything to me. I now know I have Triple Negative Breast Cancer... We are still waiting on a few test results to find out a few more things about my cancer but my treatment plan is already being put in place. I have been told and have researched that when you get breast cancer at such a young age it is most likely an aggressive cancer that needs AGGRESSIVE treatment. I just met my Oncologist and most likely will be having a double mastectomy soon and then start chemotherapy a few weeks after. I will be receiving chemo for around 20 weeks then will see if any other treatment will be needed after. Again all I can think about is my babies!!! Getting better and being cancer free is my top priority right now and this means some serious life changes. Today as I sit and write this I have so much hope for the future and am just grateful this was caught early and hope this can open eyes to younger women to always go with your gut even if it is "such a low chance" because of your age. Breast cancer can happen to any one at any age, even to a mommy , so today I'm not only going to FIGHT LIKE A GIRL... I AM GOING TO FIGHT LIKE A MOMMY!!!!!

We are setting up this go fund me to help raise funds for her since she will be having to take an unknown time off from cleaning houses. Her work is incredibly physical, and puts her in contact with many different types of germs and chemicals used to clean with and will not be good for her body or health during this time when she needs to be fighting and staying strong and healthy. Her treatment will have to start fairly quickly to make sure it does not continue to grow or spread. This will take up most of her time... doctors appointments and chemo as well as having a major surgery and recovering from that. Insurance will cover some of the medical costs but there will be things it does not cover as well like gas to get to appointments as well as the large amount of income she will no longer be able to bring in to help her family. She could really use any and all help, support, and donations and prayers.

Thank you for reading Julie’s story please pass this along if you can.