Ashton’s Fight with Testicular Cancer

Some of my friends have suggested starting a Go Fund Me to help raise money for Ashton’s Sperm Banking to preserve his fertility, and to help with other costs associated with surgeries, Oncology appointments, and other related expenses.

Ashton is a Junior at Lowell High School. He loves fishing, shooting, and football. He is an amazingly strong person with the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. He has determination and takes everything as it comes. Lover of “one-balled man” jokes, an exceptional brother, son, grandson, nephew, and friend, he’s always trying to make someone’s day better.

Ashton was diagnosed in September with testicular cancer after finding a lump during a self-check. We went and saw his Primary doctor who ordered an ultrasound and blood work. They bloodwork came back abnormal and the ultrasound showed a tumor on his left testicle, that was on a Tuesday, we were referred out to to pediatric urology and were seen at Riley’s that Thursday, and he was in having surgery to remove the testicle the following Monday. The last two months have literally been a whirlwind of appointments, tests, bloodwork, surgery. Constantly feeling overwhelmed and out of control of our lives to say the least.

He had a CT the morning prior to the surgery that showed the cancer had metastasized to some of the retroperitoneal lymphnodes in his abdomen. The pathology came back a few days after surgery and we found out that the tumor in his testicle was actually made up of three cancers. Embrynocarcinoma, teratoma, and yolk sac tumor.

UPDATE::

Ashton had the lymphnodes in his abdomen removed November 1st, just a couple of days after his 17th Birthday. He spent a week at IU University hospital in Indy, and was healing well. We came home and the incision quickly deteriorated, and began opening and draining. After a late night trip to the ER in Indy, we found out the hat he was having an allergic reaction to the surgical glue they used. The Urology resident on-call spent almost two hours removing all of the remaining glue. Just days later the incision had improved drastically and is healing nicely.

Because of the placement of the lymphnodes on the nerve strands there is a chance that his fertility will be affected, as well as if the cancer attacks the remaining testicle or if he has to have chemo.

Ashton has always verbalized the desire to, one day, have a family of his own, so preserving his fertility is a Top Priority. The problem is, it’s very expensive to bank sperm and for long-term cryopreservation, and insurance does not help pay for it.

UPDATE:: Thank to all the donations Ashton was able to bank sperm thank goodness! Unfortunately, we were told he has a low sperm count. The banked sperm may be the only way he is able to have children in the future.

We are asking for prayers, and if you’d like to help by donating it would be greatly appreciated.

A lot of you know me, and you know I hate asking for help, especially in this economy, I always try to solve every problem that comes our way myself. This is just one I cannot do on my own. I can’t be at the hospital with Ashton and be at work at the same time.

This is for Ashton and his future family:)

We appreciate any help you can offer, nothing is too small.

Thank you,

Michelle and Ashton