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Julie is under the care of the FDA approved clinical trial at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She is being evaluated for HSCT, or non-embryonic stem cell therapy using her own stem cells to treat her scleroderma. While she undergoes extensive medical testing, she travels back and forth to Chicago from Kansas in an effort to gain final approval for treatment. Once approved, the entire process will take several months and many round trips to complete. Julie is fortunate to have health insurance that will pay for most of the estimated cost of the $150,000.00 for the FDA approved therapy. Unfortunately, the out-of-pocket portion will add up to thousands of dollars by the time Julie has completed her journey. She will face extensive travel and lodging fees, meals, and large insurance deductibles and copays. Julie will need a full-time caregiver and her out-of-pocket expenses will be more than she can handle alone. Unable to work because the HSCT treatment will consist of chemotherapy, Julie will soon be immunocompromised, or without any immune system for several months. Because Julie is a nurse who works in a setting with potential infectious health risks, she will not be able to work until her stem cells have rebooted her weakened immune system. Julie enjoys her work and looks forward to the day she is able to return to her job. The HSCT therapy should halt the progression of her scleroderma and Julie will finally face much needed relief.
Julie would like to grow old with her first love and high school sweetheart, Pat. Her children are still young and need their mom to guide them through life; Peyton 17, Madeline 13, and Benjamin 10 would like to see their mother around as long as possible. After much research, Julie is finally hopeful for a brighter and healthier future; what an amazing feeling! Julie’s tentative HSCT transplant date is July 13th, 2016, and she is seeking your financial support to help make this treatment date a reality!
To help with this financial burden, a fundraising campaign in Julie’s honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law, are held by Help Hope Live in the Midwest/West Stem Cell Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. To make a donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the yellow DONATE NOW button. For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you ahead of time for your continued thoughts and prayers. Julie wants to thank you in advance for all of your help, kind thoughts and prayers, and of course your financial support
Gratefully,
Julie’s loving husband, children and friends
I am 6 months from my transplant date. Feeling better. Improvement continues. PT and OT twice a week for both. Increased range of motion in hands and in shoulder. Your contributions have allowed me to improve! Thank you, thank you!
Still recovering. Side effect of chemotherapy is bone pain. Well, I got it! Menopause accompanied it's visit! Doing PT and OT at home to help increase range of motion. Everyday is a good day to be alive!
Last week I sat down to pay bills. I am really fortunate to have this account! I would like to thank you all, everyone ! I am truly blessed. It is so humbling to be the recipient of your gift. Thank you!
I've been home almost a month. I have turned into a hermit to save myself exposure to germs. I have been going to OT and PT or to get labs drawn, but mostly stay home. It's fine because I am hanging out with kids and I missed them when I was in Chicago. I feel good. Stronger every day. Thankful! I thank God for everyday!
Home now. What a trip! Chicago saved my life, but home is where the heart is! Pat and I drove all night until we got home at 3 am. So happy to see my kids! Best medicine for me! Feel pretty good. I tire easily, I just stop and catch my breath and rest. So excited to start my new life!
Day + 11
Wow! I am bad at this! Day +4. Which means I had my stem cell transplant 4 days ago. I have been up and down on a rollercoaster of nausea and sleep. The meds get rid of nausea but make me so tired, I am like Rip Van Wrinkle. Otherwise feeling like my self. Love the staff taking care if me at NW. Been eating a lot of cereal and cold food because it does not have a scent. I love cheerios though so it's all good. Thank u for you continued well wishes and prayers. Love to u all!
On my way to Chicago now! So excited!
Happy 4th of July! I am excited to celebrate MY INDEPENDENCE from this disease, this very same month! Enjoy your celebration!
Thank you for your continued support. I am grateful to you
My hair was falling out in clumps on Tuesday. We cut it off I am enjoying being bald! I can get ready FAST! No more bad hair days, lol! I am enjoying summer sun and all the fresh fruits and vegetables. Just chilling with my kids and hanging out at home .
Leaving Chicago now. I had my stem cell harvest yesterday. Northwestern will keep them on ice until I return in July. In between tests, doctors appointments and other medical related tasks, I got out and about the great city of Chicago. Harvesting stem cells lowers your calcium. To keep my levels high we ate ice cream every day! What a joy to walk in the small neighborhoods of Chicago and enjoy the flowers and people, and of course the ice cream! I am heading home to rest to return July 6 for my transplant. Thank you for all the prayers, well wishes and your donation ! Love to u all!
Started neupogen shots yesterday. Feel good. Eating a lot of calcium to up my calcium stores for harvest on Friday.
Resting today. Chicago is cold and dreary. No sun at all. My mom and sister Jama are resting with me. The mobilization period of transplant left us tired from being up off and on all night. Thanks for your continued support.
Love,
Julie
Setting my goal as my catastrophic out of pocket expenses.
In Chicago now. I start mobilization on Tuesday. So excited to start the beginning of the END of this disease.
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I am sending you and your family prayers and strength. You are a very strong woman and I know that you can do this.
Tracy Jones and family
Julie - You are a true warrior! You are in my thoughts and prayers every day.
Michael
Love you Julie and family! Stay strong! You can do it!
Kelli Lester
Praying for you every day and cheering you on through this challenge. Love,
Christie Pillado
I'm behind you every single day Julie. Never quit trying. Love you bunches
Sandy "creamy white" Harris
One of the best nurses on joint and spine. I could come and ask for anything as far as a wheelchair, protocol machine etc and u was so sweet about it! Sending prayers your way for healing and a speedy recovery. May God be with you and your family during this time!
E'Lisha ♡
Lots of prayers and positive vibes coming your way!
Kimberly
Always thinking about you! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Stacy
Gotcha sista. Prayers to YOU and YOUR FAMILY.
Love you all.
Veronica Bender
...You mean so much to so many and I want you to get better! Stay in the fight and know that you are loved and cared for. xoxo
Sherry Jackson
Jules, when I think back on our years together at Lansing High, I am reminded of your laugh, your incredible sense of humor and unwavering support. Somewhere in our family archives is a recorded performance of me singing and I can clearly hear you yell out my "stage name," 'Sapphire!!'
Sherry Jackson
Julie sorry for your difficult time. You and your family are in my prayer.
Yvette Epperson
Julie I'm thinking about you will be in my prays sandy valentine
sandy valentins
I'm praying for you Julie you are a strong woman and God's got you. You will continually be in my prayers.
Te'Meisha Carter
Keep Hope Alive!
Kami Jackson
Be encouraged!! Sending love your way!
Nicki Twitchel
Julie...I want you to know that I've always thought you're an amazing person. You are always so funny and happy and I've always admired you for that!!! You've got this girl! Kick some booty!!! I mean it when I say if I can do anything, let me know, okay!
Vicky (Lange) Tague
You will get this done girl. Hugs and prayers your way
Heather Lange
Julie, your a beautiful person inside and out, and I've had the privilege to know and work with you, and I have witnessed 1st hand the excellent nurse you are! Maintain your bounding faith, emotional strength, and your "I got this, I can kick this" attitude!! You are perpetually in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Pam Malott
You are amazing and so upbeat every time I run into you! Stay strong.
Chelsea Harrington
Keep your head up and kick scleroderma in its sclero'ass!
Deb Poe
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Julie Gould
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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