Young mom’s fight w/ Invasive Breast Cancer

Ashley’s battle begins...

It all began when she noticed a small red “rash.” Within a week, she knew something wasn’t right. It wasn’t there before. It was red and tingly. Ashley’s intuition was gnawing at her to get it checked. She has worked in healthcare for many years, and knew the odds were in her favor. She is young, and healthy and breast cancer just didn’t seem likely. But she made the appointment, just to be sure. 


On January 25th, she sat in her office, surrounded by family and awaited the results. Her stomach was churning, the dizziness, a palpable thickness in the room. 

After those words were spoken, 


You have cancer....


Nothing would ever be the same. 


Many procedures, MRIs, endless blood draws, port placement, marker placements, hundreds of phone calls, tears of joy, and tears of sorrow, and she now has some definitive answers. It wasn’t a small lump though. 


It was Bigger...5cm! (that's golf ball sized)


Invasive Ductal Carcinoma plus DCIS, with lymph node involvement and 2 rare genetic mutations.


Ashley’s difficult journey is just beginning. She knows what she’s up against, and is facing it one day at a time, with that same bright smile on her face. 

She will not allow this diagnosis to define her, it will only empower her to continue to shine bright, and be a light to others.

Ashley already has BIG plans to inspire others and to give back. 
She believes that breast cancer is the biggest battle of her life, but an experience that will ultimately prepare her to help others and change lives.  

It is the goal of this campaign to assist Ashley financially during and after her treatment.

She is facing,

120 days of chemo
- A double mastectomy
- A radical hysterectomy
- Radiation
   and countless more tests and procedures.

It’s inevitable that she will need time off from her full time job to recover and heal.
It is the goal of this campaign to allow her the time necessary and to focus on her fight and battling breast cancer, whilst alleviating as much of the financial burden as possible. 

It is her wish that anything above and beyond her goal will go into her own nonprofit named, “Brave Beside Ashley.” 
Her mission is to fight now, and continue to inspire along the way.
The goal of her nonprofit will be provide necessary resources, hope, inspiration, and valuable connections to those that may not have a solid support system, or a financial safety net in place. 

Ashley has worked diligently for a private medical practice for many years. She is a valued member of the healthcare team, and the doctors and fellow healthcare team members have become more like family.
She is known for her kindness to patients, and leads a team with a patient-centered approach, treating each patient with the highest level of care, with the same attention she would expect for her own family member or loved one.

She is known by all for her kindness, generosity, and her mega-watt smile. She is never too busy to go the extra mile for someone in need. 
Ashley is the epitome of selfless. She gives 100% to everyone and everything in her life. She has always been the caregiver, never the patient. 

She is the most loving mother to her son, Madden. He is her greatest source of joy and happiness. She lives to attend all of his games, and cheer him on, even when she isn't feeling her best. They are both super sports fans, and they both share an extra special passion for baseball!

She has always been all about family, and family first. She has remained at her father's side with his own health challenges, and they have an unbreakable bond. She is the baby of the family, and has loving siblings, and a supportive extended family as well. Her sister Jen has always been by her side, through thick and thin, and has always been more of a best friend and mother to her.(they tragically lost their mom when Ashley was only 6 years old.)
With her breast cancer diagnosis she is learning to lean on her family more now than ever
before. 

Her name; Ashley, an Old English name, meaning, of the ash tree. It’s a mighty tree, anchored in strong roots, a symbol of healing. It is said that the tree is deeply rooted in the earth, and that it’s mighty branches can reach the heavens. It was written in old Norse lore, that the Norse god Odin’s sword was made from the branches of the ash tree. It is not by accident that she was given such a strong name. Certainly, our Ashley is clothed in strength, and will conquer this battle. 

***If you are able to give please do, every dollar counts and will help this amazing mother fight breast cancer without the worry of mounting medical bills. 

Please follow her journey at ”Brave beside Ashley,” on Facebook 
And on Instagram under @brave_beside_ashley


“We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.” 

-Eleanor Roosevelt



Proverbs 31:25–26

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,

and she laughs without fear of the future.

26 When she speaks, her words are wise,

and she gives instructions with kindness.


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