Round 1 of 3

Juliana received her first round of chemo on Tuesday August 26, five days before her 45th birthday. The first few days post treatment were marked only by waning energy and continued leg discomfort. Her birthday weekend enveloped her with so much love. Friends and family called, wrote, sent food and flowers and dropped by with other treats. The weather in Seattle was perfect: warm, sunny with a hint of a breeze. She sat outside on her covered patio chatting, laughing, and being fully present in each moment, each conversation. Juliana has that way of making you feel completely heard and seen when you talk with her, as if there is nothing more important in that moment to her. Such a rare and beautiful characteristic in this mile-a-minute world.

Last week, Juliana was able to get a second opinion by a doctor at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle who specializes in mucinous ovarian cancer, the type of cancer in which she has been diagnosed. Since we are still waiting on the final pathology report from the biopsy Juliana had while in the hospital, he was unable to give us any specific answers. However, he agrees this first round of treatment is the correct one at this time. Once we have more information from pathology and how her cancer responds to this first round of treatment, he may be able to connect her to clinical trials and research that would be applicable to her cancer.

We know that everyone is as devastated by this diagnosis as we are. Juliana is grateful for the outpouring of love and support from her huge community, and keeps saying everyday how loved and adored and uplifted she feels by all of the check-ins, hugs, food, conversation and care she’s getting from all of you.  Thank you for showering her with love.  As we get our feet under us to help support her, we appreciate your patience as we know you all want to come and see and hug her. We will let you know when she is ready for visitors. In the meantime, please continue to send her your messages of love and support; it is helping to soften this incredibly difficult time.