Please, Pray For Julie

My good friend, Julie, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

She is undergoing chemo, and it is painful complete with horrible side effects. Bone pain, hair loss (she has beautiful auburn red hair), nausea, suppressed appetite, have all kicked in, earlier than expected in the treatment cycle. Worse yet, the chemo brings down the white blood cell count to extremely low levels and she now gets severe infections. These are known side effects of the therapy, but again, in this case, they have kicked in much earlier than expected. Julie is bracing for a long and very very painful, and very dangerous recovery.

She has NONE of the ten markers for breast cancer. NONE. Her DNA tests show that she carries neither of the known breast cancer genes. She eats no meat, drinks little, has never smoked a day in her life. Yet here she is.

Julie is vibrant, intelligent, funny, patient, and kind. She endures the treatments and the side effects with a natural grace that astounds me. At the same time, she is fighting it with energy, strength and imagination that seem limitless. Every one who knows her is proud of her and the valiant way she is living through this phase of her life. Her girl friends and family members have given her a big new collection of head scarves, and she brags about how good they look, rather than dwelling upon the loss of her hair.

The grace and humor with which she lives her daily life, endures this hardship, patiently waits for God’s healing grace, musters her own body’s resources in the fight for recovery, graciously seeks and accepts the prayers and support of her friends and family continue to amaze us all. Her example, now more than ever, is a living testament to the power of God, the power of love, and the strength of the human spirit.

Her husband is very supportive and loving, constantly by her side, providing as best as possible for her needs, providing what comfort is available for her pain. He is a good man and a great husband.

Julie gives of herself freely, in both her personal and professional lives. I am both happy and honored to have her as a friend.

I hope that everyone who reads this will join me in praying for her full and speedy recovery.