Born in California in the late 60’s, my memories trace back decades.  In sharing about myself, my name “Julia Michelle” is in honor of the Beatles – sweet songs that still bring me back to simpler days and tradition, “Midboe”: my family name – Norwegian, strong, proud – my grandparents built a family of 10, with wonderful cousins, aunts, and uncles;  and “Hughes:  the namesake of my husband of 14 years – what a ride we have been on for these 9+ years of Metastatic Breast Cancer.  We met and married in Hawaii, and together with my two sons, we became of family of 4.  In the years since my diagnosis, we have been blessed with family milestones, unbelievable blessings of advanced medical care, and opportunities to serve.  Our faith wavered at times as we traversed this formerly silenced side of Breast Cancer, but Our God is bigger.  When I was in my 40’s, doing monthly self-checks and then yearly woman physicals, the word was “early prevention, early cure”.  Needless to say, I wasn’t concerned.  I was raising two boys, teaching elementary school, and building a life with my Army husband.  Life was on course, we had a plan, we bought a dog and a house.  Our happily ever after had a different story line brewing.

On Friday, February 13, 2015, our lives hit a wall.  “Mrs. Hughes, you have stage 2 Breast Cancer. An oncologist will be calling you.”  Questions and tears ensued.  Worst case scenarios followed.  What about my husband? My kids? My parents? What about my job?

I felt like a rat in a maze of tests, “go-here-and-there”, “how did you get cancer?”, “you are too young”, “my friend had cancer and died”, “my friend had cancer and lived”, “my friend had cancer and works, “turn this form in”, “get a CT; echocardiogram; MRI; Pet Scan; bloodwork; medications; a Port; get affairs in order; bone biopsy; prepare your home, your kids, and your family; back a chemo bag.”  Well, long story, longer:  Just before my 6th and what was to be my final chemo treatment, other news arrived.  Stage IV, Metastatic Breast Cancer.  So sorry.  You have about 6 months to live.  Get all your end of life plans in order and prepare for your final moments/ final wishes.  Oh, you can imagine the “shock ‘n awe” of it all.  I was ready for another chemo – fighting the fight, bald head and all, it didn’t make sense.

Well, I look forward to sharing more of my story as I’m still here.  To tell it myself.  9 years later.  I have seen both of my children graduate from high school, and college.  This time is my greatest desire, as no child should rise up without a mom.  I’ve been here with my husband, as we navigate the ups and downs of 56 plus IV chemos, my brain surgery, and double hip surgery …. It’s not for the faint of heart.  I’m still in active treatment, with bloodwork, doctors, scans, and more.  Special thanks  for all involved in this life “maze”, with special props for Brian Hughes.  

Please join me in raising funds for Komen Hawaii 2024.  Much mahalo!