Ashlin's Battle

On June 19, 2022, my best friend Natasha and her family received the most terrifying news. Natasha and her husband Dan took their 10 year old daughter Ashlin to the emergency room due to her experiencing a multitude of strange symptoms including loss of coordination, motor movement disturbances, headaches, vomiting, clumsiness, confusion and speech/memory disturbances.

Following hours of evaluations and testing, Ashlin was found to have a large mass on her cerebellum. She was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma and encephalopathy. The mass on her brain has been blocking the proper flow of cerebral spinal fluid which is causing it to build up in and around her brain.

Ashlin was transported on an emergent basis, via ambulance, to the Children's Hospital in Detroit with her mom. Dan arrived shortly thereafter, and the physicians placed a shunt to remove fluids and relieve the intracranial pressure. This intervention has helped with perking Ashlin back up a bit but she has a long, scary road ahead of her. She has surgery scheduled for Friday, June 24th, where they will be working toward removing the tumor. This is not anticipated to be the only upcoming surgery, but the physicians will be able to biopsy the tissue to determine exactly what Ashlin is battling. At this time, the tumor diagnosis is "Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA)".

Natasha works at Stratford Pines of Midland as an incredibly valued and loved CNA/Activities Aide. She dedicates her life, compassion and empathy to her residents and family. Dan is a valued long-time employee at Dow Chemical. At this time, Natasha and Dan will need to take time off of work in order to care for Ashlin. Their son/Ashlin's brother Jaden is unable to stay with his family at this time due to only being 12 years old. He is terrified for his sister and is currently staying with his grandmother until Ashlin is able to return home.

I am asking you all to pray for healing, send good vibes, and also as able, extend financial assistance to my dearest friend and her family while they try to navigate this path. Gas cards.. food cards.. cash. Whatever they need to get through this. Detroit is a long drive and gas is so expensive. As we all know, parents who are going through an ordeal of this magnitude tend to ignore their own needs in order to support their child. Let us show them the support they deserve. It takes a village and the Fortier family needs us all right now to support them as they would do the same for any of us.