Ashley's Fight Against Leukemia

Hi! My name is Marlena! I am Ashleys best friend here in Kansas! We are saddened to be writing this to not only share some news we have been handling within family and a small group but also to ask for help. Help for Ashley, Chris and the current and future obstacles to come.

On January 7th, Chris received a message informing him that his company was unfortunately closing and all current positions would be dissolved as of February 2nd. With this shocking news, Chris & Ashley were faced with fear about their future finances. With already expecting to list their house for sale with a plan to downsize, this unfortunately added urgency to that timeline.

This same day, after several weeks of symptoms, Ashley was rushed to the emergency room in excruciating pain with unexplainable bruising, ill feelings and many other causes of concern. After an admission to the hospital and countless tests, they received news they could have never been prepared for... Suspicion of Cancer! The coming days would only raise more questions and would not offer any reassurance or any additional answers. More testing would be ordered, more questions would come... Imaging would be ordered, more questions would come...

Finally, Ashley got to go home. She got 2 days at home before things changed. I got a call that afternoon after several messages that morning and after awaiting a return call from her Oncologist that awaited pathology, biopsies and many other pending tests before any official diagnosis could be given. With Ashley's change in symptoms, the doctor prompted her to return to the hospital to be admitted urgently for monitoring as they awaited answers to the many questions they had sent testing for.

Admission only brought more imaging and more testing but did allow for monitoring and symptom management.

Now, we are at the three week mark from the first ER visit and we finally get some answers.... As expected... CANCER! Acute Myeloid Leukemia. (AML) After tests being admitted into a clinical trial she was assigned a treatment recommendation... Standard of Care. Thankfully, Ashley's AML is measured at a "favorable" outcome and offers optimism and reassurance that she is going to Kick Cancers A**!

Ashley received her first official dose of chemotherapy on Wednesday 1/22 and is currently on a 24 hour chemo for the next 8 days. She has a long hospital stay ahead estimated to be about a month. With countless more tests, biopsies, hair loss, change in taste, fatigue and so many other unimaginable symptoms. This also means... no work for Ashley. Putting both Chris & Ashley with no household income. TERRIFYING financial insecurity! New year means new deductibles, tax season and many other debilitating financial obligations on top of their regular daily, weekly and monthly expenses.

So... that brings us here. If you can find it in your heart to donate, any amount, it would relieve a huge burden for Ashley & Chris and allow them to focus on Ashleys treatment, symptom management and recovery.

It is times like this that every dollar matters. If you can donate even $1, it will all add up and offer them some security as they navigate this difficult time.