Julie’s Story

Site created on February 6, 2022

Welcome to Julie's  CaringBridge site. We have created it to help keep our friends and family updated with the details of her experiences as God, healing thru prayers, doctors, medicines work in symphony together to free her body of cancer. Julie and her family appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most.

On January 4th, 2022,  Julie was diagnosed with Stage III/IV Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Julie learned of her possible diagnosis thru a CT scan after visiting Prairie Lakes Hospital's ER with shortness of breath in December of 2021.  Results of the CT scan revealed several swollen lymph nodes throughout her chest and neck area along with a large mass pressing on her trachea resulting creating difficulty breathing. Julie was then referred to Sanford ENT where they suggested she have a biopsy completed. The results came back from her biopsy as Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma Nodular Sclerosis Subtype.  After much prayer Julie has chosen Dr. Conklin as her oncologist thru Avera Oncology in Aberdeen, SD. 

Julie met with the Oncologist, Dr. Conklin, on January 19th  where he ordered additional testing to determine what stage Julie's cancer was at, the course of treatment and if she was healthy enough to even start treatment.  Julie completed her bone marrow biopsy,  pet scan (shows where the cancer is), pulmonary functions test (breathing and lungs), echocardiogram (to see the condition of her heart), MRI ( for an enlarged spleen) and additional blood work.  

Dr. Conklin along with a team of specialists from Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls, SD informed us the best option going forward would be 6 months chemotherapy, every two weeks. She will also be receiving  immunotherapy and an injection - used to treat neutropenia (low white blood cells). On February 8th, Julie had her portacath placement (an access placed in her chest that chemo will be administered through).

February  9th, Julie received her first round of chemotherapy in Aberdeen . 

We will continue to update throughout Julie's journey. 


There has been an account (Julie Mielitz's Cancer Fund ) established at Dacotah Bank to help Julie and Eugene with expenses not covered by insurance. Donations will be able to be made to that account from any Dacotah Bank location.  
A GoFund me account has also been created for those wishing to donate that way:  https://gofund.me/65a9afe4

Newest Update

August 25, 2022

Journal entry by Samantha Miller —

🙏🏻 The Lord is faithful yesterday, now and always 🙏🏻

Even tho we received the news a few weeks ago that my mom’s cancer is in complete remission today sealed the deal! There’s no happier moment than watching her ring the bell surrounded by her amazing nurses over the past 8 months ♥️
This year has been filled with highs and lows. Honestly really trying moments. I had always admired my grandma Trudy’s incredible spiritual and physical strength. There’s no doubt my mom is her daughter and that she is looking down smiling. I pray I inherit their incredible strength. 
Although this past year has been incredibly hard I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I was blessed with the opportunity to have so many spiritual conversations with my mom. Conversations on difficult toptics no one wants to discuss. But these moments allowed our relationship to grow immensely. 
Please continue to pray for my mom. Even tho her cancer journey has come to an end the hardest part of recovery is just beginning. She has been really struggling with some pretty serious lung and oxygen level issues. These past 6 weeks Julie has had numerous ER visits due to dangerously low oxygen level stats. She was referred to a pulmonologist in Sioux Falls who has placed her on constant oxygen. Even with 2-3 L of oxygen at all times her stats continue to drop anytime she stays and walks. We hope that as her body heals from chemo over time the issues will improve. She will continue to see her pulmonologist in Sioux Falls. Hopefully in the coming weeks we will possibly have answers or atleast ways to manage her oxygen levels better.  ♥️

Thank you to all those who have supported her during her journey. The meals, cards with notes of encouragement, financial support, and phone calls - please know how very appreciated they were. 

Mom , you did it!!! You beat cancer! ♥️

- Samantha 

Read More of the journal titled "August 25, 2022"
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