Julie and Bill

When I first moved back to Brockville I had the joy of meeting so many people and one of them was my wonderful friend Julie.

Like me, Julie was a single mama and raising one boy (the same age as my youngest) and over the years we have become quite close. Despite what she thinks some days, she is a courageous, strong, determined and beautiful human that I have been so so lucky to call my friend.

In April Julie and I were at a jump class and she mentioned she had a lump in her breast. She made a classic dark Julie joke about it being cancer. In May, that joke harshly turned to a reality when Julie was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer which has now spread into her lymph nodes.

Julie’s biggest support in her life has been her mom and only a week before Julie’s diagnosis her mom’s husband, Bill had an ischemic stroke leaving him paralyzed on the left side. He has been in the hospital since but desperately wants to return home.

Living at home for Bill will require 24/7 respite care, a hospital bed, a Trixie lift to transfer him to and from his bed/ wheelchair, a wheelchair, a commode and a suction apparatus (due to his increased choking risk) as well as $200 round-trips to medical appointments.

Between Julie’s inability to work and travel/stays in Kingston for chemo, surgery, radiation and more surgery and Bill’s desperate wish to return home this family is in some serious need of help.

I know times are tough, the cost of groceries and gas and *all the things* are straight-up outrageous but if you ARE able I know that Julie’s family would so appreciate the help.