In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re sharing the inspiring story of Julia Bernanke, Lead Inside Sales Manager at FarmVet. A dedicated member of our team for nearly seven years and an equestrian for over two decades, Julia’s passion for horses and her unwavering positivity have been constants throughout her life—even in the face of a life-altering breast cancer diagnosis. Despite the challenges of treatment and recovery, Julia remained resilient, embodying the same hardworking and optimistic spirit that makes her an invaluable part of the FarmVet family.
October 2023 was supposed to be the time I got my life back. After undergoing surgery in July to repair a major injury to my right hip—caused by a pre-existing genetic condition—I endured four long months of physical therapy. Finally, my surgeon gave me the all-clear to ride again. It had been the longest I’d ever gone without consistently riding, and I couldn’t wait to get back on my horse, Remy.
But just two weeks after getting back in the saddle, life took another unexpected turn. I found a hard lump in my right breast, which set off a whirlwind of tests, scans, and biopsies. The diagnosis was devastating: stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer. At only 30 years old, the news shook me and my family to the core. As if that weren’t enough, I soon learned I was BRCA-positive, which meant my entire life’s trajectory had shifted in an instant.
As I met with my new care team, I was told I’d be facing 16 chemo infusions over five months, a yearlong immunotherapy trial, and a double mastectomy.
Driving to the barn after that first appointment, my mind was racing with questions, the biggest being: What does this mean for Remy? Thankfully, I was boarding him at a private training facility with an incredible support system, including Madison Fox of Fallenleaf Farm (Indian Land, SC) and Melissa Allen of Melissa Allen Dressage. Both Madison and Melissa took exceptional care of Remy when I couldn’t, giving me peace of mind to focus on my health.
Even in the midst of this diagnosis, I was determined to continue developing my career at FarmVet. I had been promoted to Lead Inside Sales Manager in 2022, and I wanted to keep supporting my team and the amazing group of customers I had built relationships with over the years. Despite the changes happening in my life, I remained committed to balancing my work and my passion for riding.
Getting to the barn became a lifeline. Fresh air, the simple act of grooming, and time with Remy helped me maintain a positive outlook. Even on the hardest days, just being there for 20 minutes made all the difference.
Chemo days were on Mondays, long and exhausting. Tuesdays and Wednesdays were tough, but whenever I could muster the energy, a visit to the barn reset my spirits. On days I couldn’t ride, watching Melissa work with Remy brought me peace and joy. Fallenleaf became my haven, a place where I didn’t have to think about cancer. On better days, I’d hack Remy around the farm to cool him down. Seeing his progress under Melissa’s guidance fueled my motivation to fight harder, knowing that one day I’d be back working with him toward our dressage goals.
Thanks to the unwavering support of Madison, Melissa, and my barn family, I was able to focus on healing, knowing Remy was in the best hands. Just one week after surgery, I got the incredible news: I was cancer-free. Exactly one month after my double mastectomy, I was back in the saddle with my surgeon’s approval.
While the toughest part of the journey was behind me, adjusting to my new “normal” was still a challenge. Regaining my strength took time, but Remy taught me to be patient and kind to myself as I rebuilt my fitness.
Looking back, I can’t imagine going through the past year without the steadfast support of my family, my FarmVet team, and my barn family. Madison, Melissa, and the entire Fallenleaf crew not only kept Remy happy and healthy but also provided me with a much-needed refuge from the grind of cancer treatment. My FarmVet family was equally supportive—whether it was helping cover for me on rough days, checking in on my progress, or simply lending a listening ear when I needed it. The whole company was by my side every step of the way, and their encouragement helped me keep fighting with a smile.