Hi. My name is Ashley, and this is the hardest thing I've ever had to write.

Right now, my family is in crisis. Having not just one battle — but many.

My Battle: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

I was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. After 5 years of being sick, not able to breathe, not able to work, or even get out of bed half the time. After going to several Drs and specialist, and being hospitalized 23 times since Dec 2019 and receiving so many different diagnoses over the last 5 years. Including Allergy Induced Asthma, ARDS- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Eosinophilic Esophagus, Respiratory Failure more than once. Having to be put in the hospital for several days on oxygen until I could breathe on my own again. Losing everything in the duration of that time.. My home, my car, my life... It wasn't until June 21st that I received my actual diagnoses. It was the most devastating words that has ever been said to me: You have cancer. A form of cancer that has left me physically weak, emotionally drained, and terrified. I’m undergoing treatment that leaves me sick and exhausted, but I keep fighting because my son needs me. I don’t have the option to give up — even on the days when I feel like I can’t keep going

My Son’s Battle: Kidney Removal & Dialysis

My son — my precious, brave little boy — Has had Nephrotic Syndrome which is a kidney disease since he was one years old. Which has been a battle in itself. But in May his prognosis was End Stage Kidney Failure, so he had to have both of his kidneys removed. He is now fully dependent on dialysis to survive. Watching your child suffer, knowing you can’t take the pain away, is a level of heartbreak I can’t put into words. He spends hours hooked up to machines, unable to live the carefree life every child deserves.

We are hoping for a transplant in the future, but until then we'll be drowning in fear of the unknown, hospital visits, medications, and endless appointments. And as his mother, I have to find the strength — even when my own health is failing — to keep showing up for him.

My Mother’s Battle: Breast Cancer

As if our family wasn’t hurting enough, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer just last week. She has always been the caretaker. The strong one. Now she needs care herself. I wish I could be there for her the way she’s always been for me, but as sick as I am, this is really gonna be tuff, we will all have to lean on each other to get through this— we are all just trying to fight for our lives together at this point.

We Lost Everything

On top of these devastating health battles, we’ve also lost our home and our car. We have no stable place to live and no reliable way to get to chemo, dialysis, or doctor appointments other than Medicaid transportation, which has been a nightmare.

We are now living in my brother’s small home, all three of us — sick and scared — He is literally my hero. He has opened up his heart and his home to us bc we all literally have no place else to go. We are all sharing his space, he is doing everything he can, but this is to much for one person to carry. And even with his help, we are barely hanging on. And although he does it with a smile, we can't help to feel like we are burdening him.

Why We’re Asking for Help

I never thought I’d have to be asking for help like this. But I’m out of options.

The things your support will help us with:

The biggest expense is the Immunotherapy that I need.

Which cost 1950$ per infusion. And I need to have 6 of them. It will help me to have a better chance at going into remission. But it isn't covered by my insurance.

Keep up with medical bills and copays not covered by our insurance.

Purchase a used car to get to appointments, the grocery store and such

Rent a home for us 3

Groceries, hygiene products, and basic necessities. Me and my son are on a very strict diet. The speciality food he has to have is very expensive.

How You Can Help

If you’ve read this far, thank you. Just knowing someone is listening and i'm not completely alone in this world, means more than you could imagine.

If you can donate — no matter the amount — you’ll be helping us take one step closer to stability, health, and hope.

If you can’t, please consider sharing our story. You might help us reach someone who can.

Please, help us breathe again. Help us survive this.

From the depths of my heart — thank you.

Ashley