Dear Family & Friends, As many of you know, I've been out here in Illinois, getting radiation treatments for the past 3 weeks. I've heard from many of you, either through text messages or personal messages on Facebook. I apologize that I haven't been able to respond to all, I've just been too sick. Yet, because you are all so dear, of course you would like to know how things are going. At this moment, I'm feeling a bit of a reprieve so I will try to give you a quick update before that nauseating feeling returns.

First of all, September 28th was the one year mark of me being diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. Consequently, I've been a little reminicent over the last few days as I've pondered what this last year has brought and the many lessons I've learned.

Things continue to get more and more difficult. I've had 14 of 30 radiation treatments so far. I spent the weekend in bed feeling non stop nauseated. I would welcome the ability to be able to throw up if I could only feel better. I have 3 different drugs that I am staggering in use and even then, the feeling never seems to fully go away. My Doctor told me last week that they're hitting a large radius around my pancreas to make sure that they get everything and because it's right there next to my stomach it's causing me to be really nauseated. They will do 24 treatments like that and the last 6 they will pinpoint all of the radiation on the tumor that's on my pancreas. They will not do scans at the end of the 6 weeks. My Doctor tells me that the radiation continues to work for 6 weeks after the treatments end, so at that point I will go home for 6 weeks and then come back and do scans to see what has been accomplished.

Matt had to go home last Friday to pay bills and take care of things so he flew Ashley and Ella out here to take care of me while he's gone. What a wonderful husband! I seriously don't know what I would have done without her. She has been such a blessing!! Matt comes back here tomorrow (Tuesday) night. I will ask him to give me another blessing when he returns. The critical thing they have stressed about my treatment is to NOT lose any weight. Easier said than done when you're struggling to eat. They have done a mold on me that I lay in and have calculations for my precise treatment. They've put tattoo marks on my stomach and sides where the lasers all line up when I get on the table for treatment. Well, today, I went for treatment and they told me that I had lost weight and that things were not lining up exactly. My Doctor told my nurses to go ahead and do the treatment on me today and that tomorrow we're probably going to have to re-simulate everything for the last half of my treatments. I felt bad about this at first but then my nurses said that it wasn't my fault and that this often happens with patients that are getting radiation in the abdominal area. You get so sick that you can't help but lose weight. Right now I'm scheduled to come home October 23rd. If they have to re-simulate everything and do all new calculations, it will be longer. As hard as it is, I'm grateful they are being precise.

I want to thank all of you for your continued faith and prayers on my behalf. Thank you to those of you who continue to fast for me. I have made this trip to Chicago 19 times this year since January. I surely couldn't have gotten this far in my treatment without your spiritual and monetary help. Mere words are not enough to express how I feel for each and every one of you. My heart runneth over in gratitude to my Heavenly Father for His love and to my Savior for His peace. I can honestly say that I wouldn't trade this experience for anything! I only hope I am becoming a better person because of it. I love you all and thank you again for all that you've done for me. Julie

I just got home from Chicago tonight and what an awesome trip! I wasn't thrilled about going alone this time but knew it was necessary. The hospital pays for my trip and we didn't want the expense of paying for Matt to go with me just to get some tests done. Well, as I was sitting in the terminal yesterday morning at LAX, getting ready to board my plane, I discovered that my friend, whom I had met...

through (CTCA) the hospital, was on my same flight. She had flown from Fresno CA and her connecting flight to Chicago was my flight. We arranged to change my seat so we could sit together and when we got to Chicago, we were picked up by the hospital transportation, taken out to dinner and then we were taken back to the same hotel, a hotel she's never stayed at (I stay there every time) but decided to this trip. We had the same flight back to LA tonight and then she went on to Fresno. Having my friend on this trip was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father in that I went from being alone, to having a wonderful time with my friend, who by the way, started out at Cancer Treatment Centers of America with stage 4 colin cancer and is now cancer free.
My good news from this trip... I had my PET Scan this morning and the results showed that my liver is now "cancer free." After meeting with both of my Doctors today, the "plan of action" is to now focus the radiation treatment, solely on the tumor on my pancreas. I will start radiation on September 11th. Matt's work has been so wonderful in making it possible for him to be with me the entire 6 weeks of treatment. Heavenly Father continues to show His hand in my life! My heart is filled with gratitude as He continues to take care of me, even down to the little things, like not having to be alone on this last trip. My faith continues to grow as I witness daily His miracles in my life!

Here's a final update for a while. We're back home. Got to bed at 4:00am. Saturday morning and we're pretty tired from a long week of Doctors and tests in Illinois. I'm going to fly out alone next week for a PET Scan and they'll probably start radiation on me the week after that. I will end up staying out there for 6 weeks when the whole process begins. Thank you all for your continued love and support! I love you all!

Here's an update on me. I met with the Oncology Radiation Doctor at 7:30 this morning. He told me that before he could be sure on a plan of action for me he needed to be sure of the status of the little spot left on my liver so he had me do an MRI. I am now waiting on the results. If the results aren't clear from the MRI, then he will have me do a PET Scan tomorrow morning and I will have to stay ...

here until at least Monday, possibly Tuesday so I can have the consultation with him that I was supposed to have had this morning as to our plan of action. I'm not thrilled about having to stay here through the weekend but I am glad that he is being thorough. I really was counting on going home today because in the midst of my all that's going on with me, our daughter in law, Randi, gave birth to the newest little member of the Reichmann Family. A precious baby girl, Paisley!!! Both Mom and daughter are doing well. I can't wait to see them! I can't wait to see our little "Ace" as well who can now say,
"Ma (short vowel sound) Ma"(ah sound). My Grand babies our tender little mercies to me at this time!!

Dear family and friends. I promised I would update you so here it is. The scans showed no shrinkage of my cancer this time whatsoever. The tumor on my pancreas did not shrink and the tumor that's left on my liver did not shrink either. I was very disappointed while my Doctor was giving me the results and tears started to well up in my eyes and he said, Julie, this is good news and I said, but it d...

idn't shrink, and he said, but it DIDN'T grow either and that's the most important thing. Pancreatic Cancer is one of the worst kinds of cancers and it's very aggressive. It DIDN'T grow Julie! That's a big deal! I said, yes, I know. Then my Doctor said, I really want you to understand this and he talked to me for a little while about it then he said, I think it's time we do radiation on you. I said, what about the little spot that's still on my liver? I didn't think they would do any radiation until all other spots were gone. He said, that little spot is so small you can't even hardly see it. I don't even consider it, it's so small so we're gonna do it anyway. Long story short, Matt and I were supposed to fly home early tomorrow morning. The hospital canceled our flights home and scheduled me an appointment with the Oncology Radiation Doctor in the morning. After that appointment, if my Oncologist doesn't want me to see any other doctor right now then the hospital will go ahead and book our flights home. I'm not sure at this point if we'll come home tomorrow or on Saturday. I want you all to know that I'm very grateful to be getting treatment here at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). I know that my Doctor is being led by our Heavenly Father, even though he doesn't know it. I am ABSOLUTELY sure that he is. The Spirit has bourn witness of this to me and continues to every time I'm in a situation like this. That inner feeling is what allows me to trust him. Most of all, I trust our Heavenly Father. I know He's in charge and I know that things are happening on His timetable, not mine. Of this I am sure. I continue to pray for patience in the process and for the strength to endure, but not just to endure, but to find joy in the journey. How grateful I am for my testimony! My knowledge of my Heavenly Father and my Savior is what is getting me through. I will know more after tomorrow's meeting with the Radiation Doctor. I have a strong feeling I will be starting Radiation Therapy soon and when I do, I will be staying out here for 5 weeks before I get to come home. I will post more tomorrow after I know more. I love you all and "thank you" with all the love in my heart for fasting for me. Please don't lose faith. Heavenly Father IS hearing our prayers. I AM being blessed in this process. I have an abundance of peace in my life and there is a lot to be said for this gift at a time like this. I will post an update tomorrow. I love you all! Love, Julie

To my dear family and friends. My husband tells me that people inquire often as to how I'm doing, so in response to your loving concern and in an effort to help him who answers these questions continually, here's an update. Before I get started and share some details of what's going on with me, I first want to get the most important business out of the way. I recently returned home from Chicago wh...

ere I continue to receive treatment. My Doctor has ordered scans for my next trip, August 21st thru August 25th. I would like to ask all of you who don't already have a purpose to fast for this coming Sunday if you would please fast for me. That my Doctor will continue to be inspired, that the cancer is shrinking and that the overall results will be positive. Thank you so much in advance for your continued love and support!

Now I can move on to how I am doing. Before I share with you the details of how I am doing, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for you to know that I share these details as a matter of information only. I don't want anyone to think for a moment that I want sympathy, pity or any other emotion as to my plight. I am not sad in this trial. No, quite the contrary. My gratitude runneth over and I realize that there is always someone who has it worse. The Lord has blessed me beyond belief so I share this with you simply because "inquiring minds" want to know. I realize it's long and lengthy for Facebook but if it's too much then don't read it.

As many of you know, a few months ago my Doctor changed my chemo to a less aggressive one. This was a great blessing and I believe it came as a result of the last fast that was done for me. My Doctor had never seen anyone go past 4 rounds of that type of chemo without being deathly ill and I went 14. Only when he took me off of it did he tell me that some people have actually died from being on it. So although I'm now on a less aggressive chemo, the truth is, I'm now going into my 10th month of treatment and the side affects and symptoms are cumulative. So, although the change was made things are still tough.

The last couple of months I've struggled with my hands and feet. Neuropathy in the form of tingling and numbness, but worse. The skin on the bottoms of my feet have burned from the inside out and my feet get swollen which makes it very difficult at times to walk. My hands have also burned and become so swollen that to even hold a pen to write my name is extremely painful and difficult. My fingers are so individually swollen that I can't bend them or use my hands at all. Now both hands and feet are peeling and shedding the entire top layer of skin like a snake. I must say, it's a very attractive process, especially for a woman...haha. My hands look like an eighty year old grandma. Thankfully, my Doctor took me off of the oral chemo, Xeloda, for the last 2 months to give everything a chance to heal. They are now improving.

As a result of this new chemo I bruise extremely easy. Bruises pop up all over the place and I don't even know how they got there. I have night sweats every night. My Doctor tells me that my hormones are fine but that the sweating is due to the chemo. He says that it's the body's way of "detoxing." It's trying to get the poison out of my system. It has become a nightly ritual to lay a towel down in my bed, a separate hand towel next to me, and an extra pair of garments to change into. I wake up several times a night being wet and then freezing because the air conditioner is on.

My body hurts. It hurts all over due to the prolonged intake of chemo. I've often said that if the chemo doesn't kill the cancer first it will kill you. The best way for me to describe it is to think of your worst case of the flu. Your muscles from head to toe, your joints, EVERYTHING hurts. Thank heavens for modern medication to bring momentary comfort and relief. The fatigue really is beyond anything I can adequately describe. It is like NOTHING I have EVER felt before. Thankfully, the periods of nauseousness have been able to be controlled by medication.

I'm tired all the time. My iron is low due to the chemo which is why I am so tired. My regular doctor here in Apple Valley worries about this constantly but my Oncologist in Chicago tells me it's normal for cancer patients on chemo. He tells me to sleep as often as I can and reminds me that my body is healing while I'm asleep. He says that if I have to sleep the next year away to get back the rest of my life it would be worth it. I agree.

My emotions are all at the surface these days. It seems I can't talk to anyone without crying. As I've pondered about why this has happened, I think it's because you get so broken down. Broken in every way. Although, not my spirit! I'm not sad. Again, please don't misunderstand the details I'm sharing and think that I'm sad. Really, when I cry, it's mostly because I'm just so grateful!

People see me at church on Sunday and often say that I don't look sick. Thank you. Really, I would rather it be this way than to walk around looking sick. However, a wig and makeup hide a multitude of what is really going on. Anyone that has ever had cancer knows this. The truth is, I'm still terminal. The tumor on my pancreas is still inoperable. However, I know what I've been promised in Priesthood Blessings. My faith continues to be strong and I pray daily to learn the lessons that I'm supposed to be learning from all of this. I hope it has made me a better person. I pray that it has.

Last November, Doctors gave me only 5 months to live. Here I am 9 months down the road and I'm still alive! Every day that I live is a gift from my Heavenly Father and I will be forever grateful! Time with my husband, time with my children, time to keep learning and growing. Priesthood Blessings have told me that I will live but the truth is, whether I live or die, it mattereth not. I've come to terms with this and I'm no longer afraid of dying. No matter what happens I am happy and I will be grateful all the days of my life! However, I will never give up hope or stop fighting. Cancer may have taken a lot of things from me physically, but it will NEVER be able to take away my fighting spirit!!

I've had amazing experiences and met amazing people through my travels over the last several months. I know that this has been part of my journey. Many of these dear souls have become life long friends. We keep tabs on each other, encourage each other and NEVER, NEVER give up on each other. My life has been richly blessed by my new found friends. We're all at Cancer Treatment Centers of America for one reason, hope! I've given out numerous pass along cards over the last several months and have had many deep and spiritual conversations. Why wouldn't I want to share my most treasured gift with those who are in such a position to receive it? Whether I ever get to know if anything has come from my efforts, again, it mattereth not.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. I love Him. I am indebted to Him for His loving atonement which gives me peace and I will spend the rest of my life trying to honor Him. I love my Heavenly Father. He IS my Father and I feel His love and comfort daily. With all of my heart I submit my will to Him so come what may. The spiritual experiences I've had have been rich but unfortunately, are far too personal to share in such a public forum. However, let it suff
iceth to know that I am left with absolutely no doubt that this IS the Savior's church!

I love you all! I am indebted to each of you. I mean it when I say, it would be a frightening experience to make this journey without you. It's a scary road that I walk and the only thing that makes it easier is to know that I am not alone. Thank you so much for all that you have done for me. Thank you to all of you who come by to check on me to make sure that I'm okay. Sometimes I just need a hug and a shoulder to cry on. It's a great release. Thank you for not forgetting about me. Thank you for all of the gifts, meals, cards, letters, regular text messages filled with hope, the phone calls, your time, prayers and your willingness to fast when needed. Truly, a simple "thank you" just isn't enough! Most of all, thank you for your love. It's difficult for me to realize that I will never be able to repay all of you for the many acts of kindness you've shown me. You've all exemplified the scripture found in John 15:13 which says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Thank you for being the Savior's loving hands in my life. I will never forget all of you and Know that the Lord won't either! I love you all. Julie

To all of my dear family and friends. I have a special request of you. For anyone who doesn't already have a purpose in mind to fast for this coming Sunday, would you please fast for me. I am having another CT Scan done this next Wednesday, March 7th. I would ask that you specifically fast for the cancer on my liver to either be gone or shrunk to a point where it is now operable. The last CT Scan that I had done in December, showed that the cancer on my liver had shrunk by over 40% since the beginning of my treatment and my cancer numbers continue to drop. When I was first diagnosed, my pancreatic cancer number was 49,000 and as of my last treatment in Illinois, I am now down to 72. I'm not sure what that means but my Doctors tell me that it's good and that the chemo is working. As soon as the cancer on my liver is gone, either through chemotherapy or through surgery, my Doctor said they will begin radiation on the tumor on my pancreas.

I am filled with gratitude to Lord for bringing me to The Cancer Treatment Centers of America. It is a hospital that is filled with hope, whose Doctors are prepared to see miracles. Their philosophy is to treat the person, where other hospitals treat only the cancer. I've been told through a priesthood blessing that I would defeat this cancer and I know with every fiber of my being that I will. I simply had to go to a hospital that had Doctors who believed in miracles as well. You know what they say, Science only goes so far, then comes God. I've always known that my fate is in our Heavenly Father's hands and I willingly accept His will for me. But it has been made known to me through Priesthood Blessings and through the Spirit that it is His will that I live. Thank you for being His loving hands to help me through this process. Thank you for your continued faith and prayers. I love you all so much, there really aren't appropriate words to express it. I know I couldn't do this without you!!!!!! All my love, Julie