I am Julie (on the left). My sister Susan (in the middle) & our sister Megan (on the right). Susan fought a fight that no woman at her age should have to fight. In 2002, she was diagnosed at 29 years old with breast cancer. In 2012 she was diagnosed again. This time stage 3. In 2013 she was diagnosed stage 4. Cancer was found in her right lung, right hip bone, and the lymph nodes in her sternum. In December of 2014 she was in remission. At this time I went through genetic testing to find out that I was a carrier of the BRCA1 breast cancer gene. On December 5th 2014 I had a prophylactic double mastectomy to remove my breasts in order to fight a disease I did not have. While I was recovering Susan remained in remission however as soon as I was healed her cancer returned. This time cancer mets were found in her brain and spinal cord. She was given 6 months to a year to live and it was then that her real fight began.
During this time Megan (our little sister) underwent the same preventative surgery that I went through as she tested positive for the same gene. In the 5 months that Susan fought to live out her last days; she loved, she traveled, she believed, and she had FAITH. We all did.
When August 23, 2015 arrived we shared joy and hope and in the last moments of her life, we prayed. At 11:05 pm Susan went peacefully in the arms of Jesus to be with her son Joshua. She was 42 years old. It was a moment I will never forget. I ordered 4 necklaces. One with the word RESTORE because Susan helped RESTORE my faith. One with the word FAITH because Susan always remained faithful to the Lord. It was her favorite word. One with the word BELIEVE. We all have reasons to believe in the restoration of faith. And my most recent purchase is a necklace with the word PERHAPS. This one I give to my friend Kay. Her faith has brought me beyond a place of grieving to a place of grace. Perhaps we could all use a little bit of that:) It is Kay's favorite word and she is a favorite friend!
