Cancer Survivor Story - Julie Pickle

Julie’s routine mammogram in September 2023 was clear but her doctor recommended an ultrasound as well, a decision that may have saved her life. A suspicious lump was hiding deep near her muscle wall, and a lumpectomy confirmed it was stage 1 breast cancer. In hindsight, Julie recalled some soreness but attributed it to an underwire bra. She says she was “in shock” and her first thought was: “I don’t have time for this.” As a busy school psychologist and planning an annual conference as president of her state organization, her doctor told her that this was a “big time-out” in her life.

Genetic testing and an MRI confirmed didn’t show anything abnormal, but further assessment confirmed that Julie had a very aggressive form called triple negative breast cancer, so she chose to have a bilateral mastectomy in December, hoping to avoid chemotherapy. However, because of its aggressive nature, chemotherapy was recommended, and she started treatments in February after healing from surgery.

Julie has a lot of women in her family, including an older sister and 11 aunts, yet no history of breast cancer, something that she now knows is common. About 85% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history.

After a couple of delays from infections, Julie finished her final chemotherapy treatment May 2 and rang the bell to cheers and the feeling of relief that comes with it. She’s now looking forward to breast reconstruction scheduled for December.

Although she lost her hair and now wears breast prosthetics until reconstruction, Julie says she feels good and has kept an upbeat attitude throughout her journey, relying on God and all those who prayed for her. She’s also thankful for the great care she received from all her doctors and nurses. Julie is determined not to live in fear and feels that as a survivor she has the strength to overcome anything.