Justine Strong

As some of you may know, Justine Plourde, a loving wife, mother, sister, auntie, and friend was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. Back in May of 2018, Justine tripped and fell at work. Justine began to receive routine physical therapy due to her fall but Justine’s condition continued to progressively worsen. At a follow up appointment due to the painful spasms from her fall, Justine located a lump in her breast that she thought was a strained muscle due to her fall. Her doctor decided to schedule a routine mammogram, which Justine had not previously had because of her age. At this appointment, Justine also received an ultrasound and biopsy due to the mass that was located. Two days after the appointment, Justine was admitted to the emergency room with a fractured back. Justine was transferred to Mass General Hospital to see a specialist immediately. Five days later Justine’s family received results that they believed the cancer might have spread which may have led to the fracture in her back from a minor fall.

Over the next month, Justine went through multiple procedures, tests, and biopsies, which confirmed that the cancer had in fact spread to Justine’s bones. Justine has had undergone some intense treatments of radiation already. These treatments were daily and on multiple different areas. The treatments have weaken her immune system and lowered her energy level. Justine was not able to care for herself, so her husband JR also needed to take a leave from work to assist caring for her and their two young children.

Justine is hopeful that she will be able to return to work eventually, however, there is no cure for her diagnosis. Justine will need to be on medicine for the rest of her life and her treatments will change as needed depending on which treatments will react well for her. This will require future leaves of absence from work for her and her husband.

Justine is one of the strongest, most selfless people I have ever known and is always there to give her love and support to anyone who needs it. She is cheerful, loving, and unbelievably strong and always puts her friends and family before herself. Now it is time that we send back some of that love and support to Justine. What is most important is that we surround Justine with all the love and support we can so she can focus her energy on the fight ahead. The Go Fund Me page is intended to help her pay for medical expenses as she goes through the process of fighting breast cancer.

We are reaching out to friends and family to support Justine and her family with the financial burden of medical bills and daily costs of living. There is no amount to small and every donation is greatly appreciated by her family. We thank you in advance for your support.

Remember money is not the only thing you can offer. Post on her Facebook page or on this gofundme page with words of love and encouragement and pictures and remind her how strong she really is! She may not always respond, but know they help.