Hi friends,

We had an unexpected turn of events when Julie’s youngest broke her femur last week when roller skating. As a reminder, Julie has been diagnosed with terminal, metastatic breast cancer that is in numerous areas of her body.

The break is all the way though the bone and our baby girl was put into surgery within hours of reaching the ER. They placed metal plates and rods in the femur and knee to hold the bone together. She was at the hospital for three days.

The femur is the most difficult bone to break and one of the most difficult to heal. The ER shared that they typically only see femur breaks in motorcycle accidents. Julie’s youngest has been in bed, sleeping most of the day for the last week. She has had a very high level of pain.

Recovery will be long. For at least eight weeks (one down, seven to go) she will not be able to move her knee or put any pressure on her legs. She has crutches, but so far has only had the strength to use them to go to the bathroom and shower. The doctors told us it would be a twelve month recovery with physical therapy, but we are hopeful that since she is so young, it will be sooner. We will learn more during a post op appointment this week.

Please pray for:

• Rapid healing of the bone

• Patience for Meg during recovery

• Strength for the Hirtzel family while they care for each other

• Peace during a time that seems to be very hectic

• Thanks that we have such a supportive network of friends and family nearby