The real Jazz Fest: Story 2 - Hope

Share |
Written by Ryan Tramonte Tuesday, 28 April 2009 12:46

A Round with Ryan

portland.jpgToday’s story is one I think we can all identify with. It is a story about hope and determination. Sometimes it takes a lot to get us to realize life is worth living. In Julie’s case it took a trip to the Big Easy and to Jazz Fest. The moment I read this I knew I had to include it.

“My name is Julie and I live in Portland, Oregon. I had planned to visit my friend Perry in New Orleans. However, three weeks before I was scheduled to leave I found a lump in my breast, it took the doctors  about six weeks to find out that it was indeed breast cancer and that it was going to take a miracle to save my right breast. All of the tests took so long it made me miss my trip.

Reluctantly, I listened to Perry and rescheduled my trip. It just so happened to be during the second weekend of Jazz Fest. The weeks leading up to my trip I sat in my apartment daily and cried. I quit my job, I broke up with my boyfriend, I was preparing to die or to be alone. I couldn’t get my mind off of the fact that I had breast cancer and was not only going to lose my breast, but more than likely my life. I begged Perry to come to Portland, but she refused and made me come to New Orleans. I was miserable. I cried the entire way to the airport and on the plane, and when I saw her at the airport, I fell apart. My life was basically falling apart around me and I had no way of stopping it.



I went to the Festival with a huge hat on and did very little to socialize. I sat next to an older lady with an even bigger hat than mine, and the brightest, pinkest dress I had ever seen. She smiled at me and complimented my hat. I noticed she had a pin of a girl very near my age on her hat. I am not one to talk to strangers, but for some reason without thinking, I just asked the older lady whose photograph was in the pin. The lady told me it was her daughter. She had just died of lymphoma eight weeks before Jazz Fest. The woman told me Jazz Fest was her daughter’s favorite thing about New Orleans and that pink was her favorite color. The woman told me that each year her daughter would beg her to go to the fest, but each year the woman would make excuses as to why she couldn’t go. 'This year,' the lady said, 'we are here together.' I sat up straight after she finished and asked more questions about her daughter and about her death. The woman and I talked for hours and by the end of the day, I had found a new reason to live. You see, the woman said that her daughter had actually gotten sick when she was 13, and her daughter was 36 when she died. 'I am so glad my daughter was a fighter' the woman said, 'I cannot imagine not having the few years I had with her.' I began to cry and thanked her.

I walked out of the fest and walked and walked and walked. By the time I was done I was lost physically, but knew exactly where I was. Today I am cancer free and the proud owner of one breast. Without that trip to jazz fest and that woman, I might have given up and died. I have never been back to Jazz Fest, but when I am cancer free for 10 years, I will be there wearing a big hat and bright pink dress."

- Julie M.  from Portland, on finding Hope at Jazz Fest
Comments (9)Add Comment
0
...
written by Aunt B , April 29, 2009
Julie, thank God for the "angel" in the big hat and pink dress that He sent to encourage you and give you hope at Jazz Fest. So glad to hear that you're still cancer free. Beautiful story.
0
...
written by Eric, April 29, 2009
Everything you touch turns to gold, Ryan. Call me we need to talk.
0
...
written by redrover, April 29, 2009
congratulatins to neworleans.com for giving something of substance to world. I will be returning. i work with Julie, and i am glad she fought. She is one of the most beautiful people i know.thanks to you too ryan and to this website.
0
...
written by Carmen Julie's little sister, April 29, 2009
I have not stopped crying over this. Thank you for bring my sister and her battle to light. Thank you so much.
0
...
written by Julie's Aunt Letty, April 29, 2009
Son you are amazing, I have read all of the other postings and your mother and father should be proud of you. In fact your city should be proud of you. Thank you seeing the beauty in this story.
Portland loves Ryan.And when you come to Portland, You are going to stay with Aunt Letty.
0
...
written by It's Me Julie, April 29, 2009
Oh Ryan, Thank you for printing this about me. it was so nice of you. you will no doubt get comments from everyone who knows me. We are passing this around. Thanks again.

And & i only have a few more years to be cancer free for the big 10. It won't be long before I am there again.
0
...
written by Dolores, April 29, 2009
Ryan I just love what you do. Congrats to Julie M. i survived breast cancer twice.
0
...
written by Randa, April 29, 2009
I CAME BACK TO SEE WHO MADE IT TODAY.

LOVE IT.
0
...
written by &, April 28, 2009
I AM crying this time! Julie M., don't wait 10 years to celebrate...come back to New Orleans today! smilies/smiley.gif smilies/grin.gif

Write comment

busy
< Prev   Next >
Ryan Tramonte
715bigRyan Tramonte is the General Manager of French Art Network and Rue Royale Art Partners of New Orleans. With galleries in Carmel by the Sea, California; Santa Fe, New Mexico; New Orleans and Key West, Florida; the company’s family of galleries represents 54 artists from across the globe. With his office in the center of the French Quarter at 541 Royal Street, Ryan has managed to surround himself with some of the most beautiful aspects of New Orleans, its artists. Artists mold the way we think and live on a daily basis, they are one of society’s most prized possessions. Ryan, himself works in all mediums, but centers his work on painting and collage.
vcbv

NOMA Upcoming Events

About Us | Contact Us | Meet the Staff | Our Logo | User Agreement| Advertise With Us
NewOrleans.Com Media L.L.C. 839 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 PH: 504.309.1004 or 504.273.5240- FX: 504.309.1630
No information contained within this site may be reproduced or used without the express written consent of NewOrleans.Com Media, L.L.C
©2009 All Rights Reserved.
Using this site you agree to our Terms And Conditions
ATLANTA.COM | CHICAGO.COM | DALLAS.COM | DAYTONA.COM | DENVER.COM | HOUSTON.COM | MEMPHIS.COM | MYRTLE BEACH.COM RICHMOND.COM | SAN DIEGO.COM | SAN FRANCISCO.COM |ST LOUIS.COM | TORONTO.COM | WEST PALM BEACH.COM | More Cities...