Ashly Jackman - Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Donation protected
Hi. This is Ashly, and I'm reaching out for help as I officially have had to take an unpaid leave from work. I would like to be as transparent as possible in my request, and please know that any amount you can spare will be helpful!! If you are unable to help, please continue to pray , and please share this if you don't mind. Note: funds are set up to go directly to Chad to make this process easier on me.
As many of you may know, I've been spending my spare time battling a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer known as Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). TNBC makes up only about 10-15% of breast cancer diagnoses, and differs from other types of invasive breast cancer in that the cells grow and spread faster, and treatment options are limited. Even with having had a Mastectomy, TNBC is so aggressive that it has a high risk of metastasizing to other areas such as chest wall, bones, liver, brain, or lungs...and this is something I'll always have to look out for.
Chemotherapy is my only option with TNBC, and therein lies the problem. I am currently on Taxol infusions. While I am getting close to the end of my sessions, unfortunately my body is not handling the chemo well. My Oncologist believes that there are underlying conditions causing my body to react in an inflammatory manner. My blood cell counts have officially dropped below normal limits... causing extreme fatigue, weakness, and low immunity. This could also prolong my treatment. My legs , from my hips down, are in almost constant pain. Most days I cannot even walk without the use of a walker...and even that has to be done minimally. The pain is now radiating to my arms as well. Despite all of this, we still must move forward with chemo in order for me to have any chance of beating this cancer.
Chemotherapy is 'cumulative' , meaning these side effects (and more) will basically continue to 'stack up' on top of eachother and it is going to get worse before it gets better. This could last weeks, or months.
In the meantime, this means I have had to take off work completely because I am not physically able. Because I have not been there a year, this will be unpaid medical leave. Not only does that come with obvious financial issues in itself, that also poses a problem with my medical bills, insurance premium, and other expenses. I am responsible for continuing to pay my portion of the premium while I'm on approved unpaid leave, which is not cheap for the 3 of us. Additionally, there are 11 medications I must obtain regularly, and at least one surgery coming up. Those are just a few examples of things we could use help with. The list goes on.
We are doing what we can to help ourselves as best as we can, too. Chad is looking for a second job, but he's my sole caretaker , which makes that difficult, especially with my body breaking down further and further. He is taking side jobs, also, but again...I need him here as much as possible because I cannot fully take care of myself.
Times are tough, but This Too Shall Pass.
Thank you for all of your continued support during this journey. I could not have made it this far without you. If you are able to help, we greatly appreciate it. Every little bit adds up. If you are unable to help, please continue to pray, and please share .
Co-organizers (4)
Ashly Jackman
Organizer
Whitehouse, TX
Chad Jackman
Beneficiary
Teresa Counts
Co-organizer
Cortny Handorf
Co-organizer