We are starting this fundraising effort to assist Ashley, as she is undergoing treatment for stage 2 breast cancer. This treatment involves numerous stressful aspects including bi-weekly chemotherapy and an upcoming bilateral mastectomy surgery. All while simultaneously raising two small children and expecting her third child. Ashley is a loving mother and wife, a good sister, friend, and one of the most genuine souls you'll meet.  This is a way in which we can all help to support her and our family.

We are asking for support for our family to alleviate the impact of medical bills but also to assist with funding for dinners and childcare as needed.  We are single income family and Chris needs to continue to work to sustain the household.  This leaves pregnant and ailing Ashley with the boys.  We have a tremendous support system between friends and family, but while she undergoes chemotherapy, routine tasks such as changing 1 year old Connors diaper or preparing meals become daunting tasks.  Especially when Chris needs to travel for work.  Which is leaving us to look into possible daycare systems and/or parents day out programs to allow Ashley to get much needed rest and for Chris to continue to maintain some focus on work.

A message from Ashley:
"I am 30 years old, a stay at home mom to a 3.5 year old boy, 13 month old boy and 27 weeks pregnant with a baby girl. In the end of the first trimester of this pregnancy my husband felt a good size lump on my right breast. We just kind of shrugged it off thinking it was due to my pregnancy and my body changing. Finally, in January, after I noticed the lump had gotten significantly larger, I decided to bring this up to my OB during a scheduled appointment to check on our little girl. Going into my OB appointment I felt kind of silly bringing it up because I thought it was nothing. My Doctor said since I was 30 and it is a big lump that he wanted me to go get an ultrasound done of the lump. I questioned him and asked him if I could just wait until after I delivered Averie. He was adamant that I go get it checked out.

So, the next week I go into the Women’s Diagnostic center thinking I’ll get an ultrasound done, leave and go on with life because it’ll be nothing. During the ultrasound while the technician was performing her evaluation, I noticed how she started to focus more intently on what she was seeing. Her talking slowed and she grew quieter.  There was a significant shift in her demeanor. I asked her, “So, will they call me later with the results or will I see a doctor today?” She told me since I was pregnant that I would see a doctor before I left. When she got done with the ultrasound she stepped out and in came the doctor. The doctor wanted to do an evaluation on me herself. When she completed she expressed how very concerned she was with what she and the tech had seen. Had me get a mammogram done that day. Funny thing is I was terrified of the mammogram, but if I only knew what was coming, that would’ve been the least scary part of my appointment.

I remember her coming into the room where I was waiting and she sat down where she repeatedly expressed that she was VERY concerned. I saw tears in her eyes and knew whatever the lump was that it wasn’t good. She asked me if I could come in the next day and get biopsy’s done. So, the following day I go in, get them done and then it’s the waiting game. Waiting for the call to tell me if it’s benign or if I have breast cancer. Luckily, I got the phone call the very next day, a Friday and didn’t have to wait anxiously all weekend for the results. When I answered and the doctor said hello; I could already tell the news wasn’t good. It was what she had suspected. The lump is breast cancer.

I remember just losing it and asked the doctor to talk to my husband because I couldn’t even process the news that I had just received. I was crying, shaking, hyperventilating. Thinking, “Am I dying? How will I be strong enough to climb the steep mountain ahead of me? What does this mean for me and my family?” After getting the news I knew things were going to move very quickly. The following week I met with a surgeon and an oncologist. Found out that it is stage two. Fed by estrogen and a protein called “HER2/neu".

My world had been flipped upside down and to this day I am still trying to process that I, Ashley a 30 year old woman, pregnant with my third child; that I have breast cancer. It’s crazy! But I have jumped in with both feet and am ready to fight and to overcome this disease. One day at a time. I want to thank everyone for the outpour of love and support I’ve already received. It has really blown me away and means so freaking much. You all really help give me the motivation to keep fighting and to stay strong. "