My mom just emailed me to tell me my dear Aunt Julie is in the ICU right now. Luckily, since I’ve started blogging, she hasn’t gotten as sick as she was a January ago. Most everyone in the family had traveled home for fear of the worst, but luckily she pulled through. It was a horrible case of double pneumonia on top of her already weak body (due to breast cancer). Julie’s been a trooper dealing with a recent relapse, going through chemo and god knows what else to beat this horrible disease. And now, sadly, she’s back in the ICU.

I don’t handle situations like this as well as I used to when I was younger. I could hold it together then. I’m not so good at it now. I’ve already had to sit in a bathroom stall to cry so my coworkers don’t ask “what’s wrong?” because I simply cannot deal with it.

I know Julie – she is one of the toughest broads I know – tough as nails. She’s climbed mountains, competed in races, and is one of the most sarcastic-funny people you’ll ever meet. That’s why it’s so upsetting when she does get this ill, she’s so tough – to “give in” and go to the hospital means it’s pretty bad, even by her standards.

So far, I don’t think anyone in my family affected by either breast cancer (3 Aunts and a Grandma) or ovarian cancer (other grandma) have been this frighteningly ill – twice. I’m so scared for her. I have to keep telling myself she’ll pull through. I can’t think of what will happen if she doesn’t.

Please…say a prayer for Julie to whatever God you see fit.