Friday, March 7th - 11pm update
Today we are at 6 months and 10 days until the End of Treatment.
Dear Family,
I hope this message finds you all doing well! Spring is just around the corner, and this marks Julia’s second spring in her fight against cancer. I’m filled with joy and gratitude as I share that the Lord has been so faithful and good to us throughout this journey. Last year, Julia had very little energy, she was pale, fragile, and weak. But even during the hardest moments of her treatment, God blessed us with the gift of monarch butterflies, something to look forward everyday especially since we could not take her anywhere. Julia learned all about their life cycle and transformation, which was such a beautiful reminder of hope and change.
This year, though the butterflies are a little late due to a longer winter, we saw our first monarch two weeks ago. It was likely laying eggs in our milkweed, and we can expect new life soon! Julia is doing so much better this year—she’s full of energy, making plans, and her hair is growing back so luscious as you can see in her TK picture. Her skin has a beautiful sun-kissed glow, and we’re so grateful to see her growing stronger and more beautiful in both spirit and health.
Thursday was Julia’s monthly clinic day, and she did amazingly well. She handled everything from getting her port accessed and blood drawn to receiving her infusions. Her blood work looked great—almost too great! The doctor decided to increase her oral chemotherapy meds to keep her immune system at the right level, so we’ll return in a couple of weeks to check her labs again.
I also made an error in my last update. Julia hasn’t had her last ‘Make up’ lumbar puncture yet—there are still one more to make up (she missed early in treatment due to complications) and two more in her protocol scheduled. I was a little disappointed in myself for losing count, but it’s just that I’m anxious for the day we no longer have to put her to sleep for these procedures. While she’s had many lumbar punctures, they’re vital to ensure her brain is treated and to help put her cancer into a deeper remission. Each time we go through this, I surrender her to God and trust in His plan. So, we continue to trust, pray, and surrender. The next lumbar puncture will be in April, and after that, we have two more to go.
Regarding her immune support, the infusion Julia had last month to help boost her globulin levels has been such a blessing! Her immunity improved, and she hasn’t caught any viruses or even had a sniffle, praise God. She will continue receiving this infusion once a month for the next few months.
I’m so grateful to each of you for taking the time to read these updates and for continually lifting Julia up in prayer. We’ve seen God’s hand guiding and providing in such beautiful ways, and I’m encouraged by your love and support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
As we move forward, please join us in praying for Julia’s continued health—especially for her blood levels to stay at the right balance, for her immune system to stay strong, and for the small mass on her left thigh to keep shrinking (we have another ultrasound in May).
Lastly, if you’re on Instagram, I’d love to connect and share Julia’s adventures with you there! Find us IG: @mylittlesunshinejulia
With love and gratitude,
"But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]Will gain new strength and renew their power;They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];They will run and not become weary,They will walk and not grow tired."
Isaiah 40:31
Our hope is in the Lord!
Yesss princess! Almost to the finish line. Praising God for His faithfulness. We will continue to pray for her to continue to finish treatments strong in Jesus name ♥️🦋
I join in praising God with you over his blessed care for Juju
Thank you for sharing your family's courageous journey with us, filled with both challenges and victories through God’s grace.
May the Lord bless and protect you all as you glorify His name. 🙏🏼
Much love and blessings, Escobar family 💕 love, jodianne
Praising the Lord for His Love and Faithfulness 🥹🙌🏼
What a long journey and yet so much Hope, just 6 more months and change left.
Little Juju is truly a God’s little Warrior Princess 👑 She is so beautiful 🥹
Continuing to pray for the rest of this journey and for God’s continued protection on the next lumbar puncture in April and the two more after🙏🏼
We will keep praying for little Juju’s immune system to fight off all the viruses 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thank you for faithfully sharing and being so transparent with little Juju’s (and your family’s) rough journey fighting this battle against cancer and the many victories that the Lord blessed all of you with through the obstacles/challenges on…
I cannot believe that Juju is in her last 6 months of treatment! Less than a year and such a testament to God's goodness and faithfulness. Thank you for being so diligent to post these updates all along the way, even in the hard and tired moments. Because how can people not see the hand of God move so mightily in Juju's life! What a testimony all of you have! God IS mighty to save and God DOES answer prayers!