Julie's Story

At Westwood Homecare, we are always inspired by the resilience of our carers, and some stories resonate particularly deeply, such as Julie’s. She has worked at Westwood for around seven years now, and during that time, she has faced a host of challenges, but despite them all, she has persevered.

In 2024, Julie’s life changed in ways she could never have expected.

“I first received my diagnosis in 2024, basically a year ago. And I found out that I got breast cancer after losing my son,” Julie recalled. “It was a kind of shock to the system really […] I did not think it would ever happen to me, you know. But when I found out at first, I didn’t really take it in because I kind of blanked out. But then, when reality hit me, it was a shock to the system. It really was.”

Through those days, Julie found the strength to keep going in those around her. “I had my friends and family. My family were there to support me, and they still are. And also, just before I got diagnosed, about six months before that, I met someone who came into my life,” she explained.

Meeting her partner during such a difficult time helped her along tremendously. His presence, along with the love of her children and wider family, gave Julie the hope and determination to keep going.

“So, he came into my life at just the right time, and basically, he’s just supported me all the way, and I really don’t know what I would have done without him and my friends, especially my family, my daughter, and my son. “

After months of uncertainty and perseverance, Julie finally reached the moment she had been waiting for, and she braced herself for the news that would change everything.

“About four weeks ago,* I went to see my consultant. I was really nervous because I knew that I was going to get some news. I didn’t know what news it was, if I was going to be told that I’ve still got cancer or I’m not. So when I got there, basically, he told me that I’m cancer-free, which was like still a shock to my system. And basically the first thing I said to him is, 'Am I allowed to ring that bell?'”

That day, Julie rang the bell to mark the end of her cancer treatment, a moment that will stay with her forever.

“Because there were so many people, especially my family and friends, who were waiting for this call to see because they were anxious as well, because they've been along with my journey and supported me, so I rang that bell and I just couldn't believe it. It was the most important time of my life, and I was just so overwhelmed.”

After the good news, life had another surprise just waiting around the corner. Shortly after ringing the bell, her partner planned a moment she never saw coming.

“I did not know at all,” Julie laughed. “What happened is basically, I don’t know why he’d done it, but I remember a couple of weeks ago, he actually borrowed one of my rings and just said to me, ‘Oh let me see your ring, I haven’t seen that before.’ So I don’t know if he used that ring to go and get the ring. I went to my friends and we were all gathered together and to my surprise they all knew — I didn’t know — and next minute he was just on his knees and he just said, ‘Will you marry me?’”

“To be honest with you, I was in such a shock. I don’t think I said yeah at first, and then you hear in the background like someone saying, ‘did she say yeah?’ And then I decided to say yeah because I was in such a shock and I was just overwhelmed.”

It was the perfect ending to the chapter, and the beginning of a new one filled with love and joy.

With treatment behind her and a wedding on the horizon, Julie’s focus has shifted to the life she is building.

“Basically, what I’m looking forward to — obviously, I’m looking forward to my wedding. I’m planning it to be big, to be honest with you, because there are a lot of people that I’d like to attend. Also, my fiancé is from abroad, and he’s got a lot of his family there who are looking to come over. So yeah, I’m looking for a big wedding really.”

She is also making space for gratitude, faith, and family.

“Just like what I’m also grateful for is that I’ve got my life back. And because there are so many people who die of cancer and I’m just really grateful. And to be honest with you, the thing that’s helped me through life is God. So I’m just grateful for everything. So right now it’s just about going up, up, up.”

But above all, Julie carries her son with her in everything she does. His memory has been a guiding light through her battle with cancer and beyond.

“I think that the most important thing for me is that I’ve kind of, you know, all the journey that I’ve been on since I’ve lost my son as well and then going through the cancer is that I’m at that stage now where I can kind of move on a little bit. And I know that my son is at a better place. And for that alone, I’m just grateful.”

Julie’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience, love, and hope. From the heartbreak of loss and the shock of diagnosis to the triumph of ringing the bell and saying “yes” to a future with her fiancé, she shows us all what it means to keep strong and move forward.

At Westwood Homecare, we are honoured to celebrate this milestone with Julie, and we can’t wait to see all that the future holds for her.