*This post has been updated by a non-medicated Julie
If you are anything like my mom, you may wish I would pick up the phone and call you every morning just so you can hear for yourself that I am okay. And even though Facebook is great and I love to read all your posts about me and then the dozen comments of people I don’t know who are praying for me, I still like this blog thing. So I will continue to update here.
Overall surgery went well. We didn’t have to wait too long, and Ethan had a private room to hang in while I was in surgery. When I began to wake up, I heard them talk about my drain and I knew that was probably a bad sign. The first step was to take 1-2 lymph nodes and test those. I may not need a drain if that was all he had to do. But if the first node came back positive, he would need to take more, and I would definitely need the drain. I was moved back into my room, waking up more, feeling nauseous, a little pain and wondering what he found. When the doctor came in, he told me the findings of cancer in the first lymph node and that in the next days we would find out what the other ones looked like. It was not the news that any of us wanted to hear, but it is reality now. Maybe later I will get into to more of an emotional explanation but for now, I am worn out from thinking about it. I did want to update the blog and let you all know that this is a way you can keep up with me.
What we know now is that the cancer is in my lymphatic system. And that means, I am moved to early stage 2 cancer. We are waiting for the pathology report on the tumor and the lymph nodes and will form a plan for the future. Our best guess is that I will need chemo treatments, maybe radiation and/or hormone therapy to follow.
So let’s call 2010 as a year from hell. Let’s look at this as a life that I do not want to experience for eternity. The worry, the fear, the pain, the sadness, the heat – my Word the heat. I look forward to knowing that this is not God’s plan for us, and trusting that one day all of this will be behind us and we will have a glorious life to finish in heaven.
Julie,
I am so sorry to hear this update, as I know it was not the outcome you all were praying for. I will continue to pray for you and your family as you enter into the next phase of this journey. Thinking of you all right now.
Love,
Ashley
I love you Julie!
This makes me want to say bad words and get all ugly. Ugh. I am on my knees.
Whatever it takes, girl! But here to hold you up high and support you through it all. Putting you at the top of my prayer list! Love you!
Oh Julie… you have been on my heart so much, especially this week. I thought I would see you before your surgery, for most of the time I find myself in your neighborhood quite often. But I have not ventured in that direction lately, and so I just want to let you know that you are in my prayers and thoughts. My heart breaks for you as you walk this part of the journey. I am reminded as I pray that our lives are indeed epic stories, not short ones, and that although this chapter sucks, it isn’t the end of your story.
May you be filled with peace and energy as you recover and run this marathon that you are facing.
Blessings,
Carlee Vaughn ( Ruby’s mom)
Julie, I’ve been following your family for years and I hated to read this news. I will pray for you!
Julie, Thank you so much for updating your blog. You, Ethan and your beautiful girls are very much on our hearts and in our prayers. We pray that your deep faith will sustain you through every step of this journey…one day at a time. We pray you experience God’s incredible love and strength, and we are asking Him for full healing of this stinkin’ cancer – every bit of it! Hang in there, girl – you are loved!!
Prayers and more prayers. Just know that you are thought of and prayed for many times.
I’m sad to hear this, but once again, your strength, humor and faith amaze me! You’re an incredible woman whose testimony will only be all the brighter when you’re on the other side of this. Again, I’ll do anything I can to help – just ask!
Julie,
I am so sorry to hear these results. I will commit to praying for you, for Ethan and for your precious girls. I’m learning that it’s in the times that are so difficult to understand and explain why that our faith must be the strongest. I have seen your faith in action, have learned from it even at a distance, and will continue to encourage you in Christ!
Melissa Curtis
Shaker Heights, Ohio
Remember that little children’s song from preschool church ” The Lord’s Army”? I wish I could sing it to you right now! I think of all of us believers out here in computer land as our Lord’s army fightin’ for Julie (and Ethan and girls). Please know that we care , we love your precious family, we’re on our knees, and we’re fighting hard for you! You will be victorious! It’s God’s promise!!
We are thinking about you and praying for your recovery!!!!
Thinking about you, and trusting that this is all going to be okay soon. I’ll be honest with you, I skipped my annual visit with my doctor last year, but I will now be making an appointment….in your honor. Please let me know if there’s any way I can help. I’m always willing to watch the girls for you.
Much love,
Brandi
Your strength and faith leave me speechless. Praying.
I never have the right words to say, but I will be praying for you. You touch so many people. It is hard to see how God is going to use this and why he keeps using you in such painful ways, but he does. Thank you for always being willing to share.
Hey Girl!! Thinking of you and praying for you everyday. We missed you like the Dickens today at MOPS!! I wish I had wonderful words of wisdom but I don’t. I know God has a plan and it is a perfect plan, although it is hard for any of us to see right now. I know that you will beat this and have a wonderful testimony and be able to help others when you are well!!
Praying for you Julie!
Dear Julie I remember you from when you and my baby brother Michael Ribinson were playing in your backyard in TX I was only 13 maybe at the time but i took some cute pics of you two. I know you probably don’t remember us and that is okay. We will still continue to pray for you and your family. Your daughters are beautiful and I know that you will remain strong in your faith.