SupportJulieJohnAndElliot

Hi everyone,

We wanted to share a little update on Julie.

For the most part, she’s been feeling really wonderful! She’s back at work and stepping back into everyday life in ways that feel steady and hopeful. One of the biggest highlights? A new family member named Blue! The joy (and let’s be honest, the full-time responsibility) of bringing home a puppy has happily replaced a lot of the time that used to be spent at doctor’s appointments. Blue has brought laughter, movement, and a lot of love into the house.

That said, this past weekend brought an unexpected scare. Julie began having difficulty breathing and went to the ER, where doctors discovered several pulmonary embolisms. It was another close call, but we are incredibly grateful for the swift and skilled care she received. UCLA admitted her right away and successfully performed the procedure to remove the clots.

The very good news: she’ll be discharged tomorrow with no restrictions and is feeling great! She truly dodged a serious bullet and doesn’t take that lightly. She’s profoundly grateful to be alive, breathing easily, and getting back to life at home.

Julie (and John and Elliot) know they haven’t been walking this road alone. You’ve been part of it, through the good stretches, the scary moments, and everything in between. It means more than they can express, and they’re deeply grateful.

We’ll continue to keep you posted, but for now, we’re celebrating excellent doctors, resilient lungs, puppy energy, and a return to ordinary days.

With love,
Jessica

Hello friends!!! 

I’m sorry for the lack of updates! But in this case, no news is great news! I have been busily living life again. Back to work and school drop offs and soccer practices…loving just being human. And the best news? I am officially cancer-free!!! Yup, it’s true! There are no detectable cancer cells in my blood or marrow. THE TRANSPLANT WORKED!!! 

Of course, I am not out of the woods forever. I am still being closely monitored and I don’t believe I’m considered “cured” until 5 years, but things could not be going better. It’s a true miracle. I’m on a ton of medications and have weekly doctors appointments to address side effects and lingering effects of the transplant, radiation, and chemo. I still have to be very careful around people and crowds because my immunity is still extremely compromised. I can’t really travel or let down my guard for another year when all my vaccinations are done and active. But overall things are wonderful. I’m feeling an intense excitement about life and looking forward to new adventures while savoring the mundane. Life is good. 

Thank you for all of the support. Your funds have been keeping us afloat while I’ve been out of work. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without this community. Thank you seems inadequate. And yet, it’s all I’ve got. Just know that you had a part in helping me survive this. I wish I could hug you all! 

I hope you and yours are all healthy and finding joy in things big and small. 

Lots of love,
Julie

Hello lovelies! Check out this video from our favorite Remala-Hanley Family! They send their love before the Bone Marrow Transplant tomorrow...

Hi beloved community,

I wanted to send a quick update from the front lines of my healing journey. This week, I’m doing outpatient chemo to knock out some remaining disease. As many of you know, my cancer is an aggressive one, which means I’m needing more treatment than what’s considered “normal.” <Boo Hiss>

Next up: I’ll be admitted to the hospital on May 3rd for a combo of radiation and chemo leading up to the bone marrow transplant. (Quick PSA: the transplant is not surgery—they don’t remove my marrow and jam new marrow in—it’s actually just an IV drip!)

I’ll be in the hospital for about a month, followed by another 2–4 weeks nearby in a hotel to stay close to my transplant team.

I’m doing my best to stay in good spirits. Connection by text is still my favorite way to feel grounded and loved. John will be with me at the hospital as much as possible, and Elliot will keep rocking his routine with the help of some awesome playdates.

Meanwhile—because life doesn’t do things halfway—we’re still displaced from the pipe that burst last April, so we’re also in the middle of home renovations while also renovating my body. Good times.

The good news: we’re holding up well. And that’s because of you. We feel every bit of your support and care—whether it’s funds, prayers, food, talismans, rituals, thoughts, lucky pennies, or disco balls. (Yes, all of those have shown up—and we’re grateful for every single one.) Truly, we could not do this without you.

With love and thanks,
Julie, John and Elliot