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Ashley's journey before and after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis:
On Thursday, February 25th, 2016, Ashley had a terrible migraine. It was Josh and Ashley's 4-year anniversary and she was determined to enjoy their weekly bowling league. She started to feel weak and dizzy during the game. By the following morning, she was unable to walk straight and her limbs on the left side felt heavy. Throughout the day, she was extremely tired, but in Ashley fashion, pushed through and continued working. By her last client, she was struggling to grip the hair on his head and it was difficult to lift her hand or use the scissors. She went home and rested hoping a good night sleep would help.
When she got to work and had her station set up at the hair salon on Saturday morning, February 27th, 2016, she still had a headache and was still feeling very heavy on her left side. Her aunt arrived for her hair appointment and noticed immediately that Ashley wasn't feeling well. Ashley relayed to her the symptoms over the past two days. By 9am, while doing her aunts hair, she had lost all function and mobility on the left side. Together, they went to Urgent Care, where she was thought to possibly have had a stroke. She was quickly transferred to Emergency where they gave her a spinal tap, MRI, and CT. The doctors ruled out a stroke, but found signs of demyelination in her CT and MRI, which let them to suspect Multiple Sclerosis. Ashley was admitted to the hospital for more tests.
On Sunday, February 28, 2016, Ashley had a second MRI which showed nearly a dozen lesions on her brain and cervical spine. The doctor informed Ashley and Josh that MS the anticipated diagnosis, but they would wait on the spinal tap results to confirm, which was later confirmed on Wednesday. Ashley spent the next week at the hospital with doctors, physical therapists, and friends and family helping her understand MS and the lifelong struggle she was preparing to face.
After the hospital, Ashley spent two week at a rehabilitation center with acute physical therapy and occupational therapy, learning to use her hands again, learning to walk, and learning a new diet that would help with the recovery. She started in a wheelchair and graduated to a walker, cane, and finally was fitted for a foot brace to help her foot lift off the ground. She will need all four tools to manage herd day to day life, each utilized depending on what her symptoms are for the day.
Ashley and her friends and family celebrated her successes along the way – holding a fork AND being able to eat with it; styling her rehab roommate's hair into a ponytail; and stacking plastic cups to a timer.
Ashley was discharged and able to go home on March, 17th, 2016 (*lucky* girl)! However, Josh and Ashley still have a long road ahead as their house will require disability compliant access. We are all very excited for Josh and his new job (just started 2 weeks prior to the hospital stay), but the transition from their insurance coverage to Cobra has left them paying for all the medical necessities out of pocket (foot brace, wheelchair, cane, walker, etc). Ashley is also on a one year waiting list for service dog training.
MS can have very debilitating flare ups. The onset of Ashley’s diagnosis was in the form of her first flare up. Future flare ups may have the same results and require brief hospital stays as well as physical and occupational therapies.
As a very active person, Ashley is determined to get back to the things she loves, such as performing with her competitive tap dancing team, her bowling league, cooking and baking, gardening, driving (for now she is not allowed to drive and has been given a disability placard) and most of all her career as a hair stylist. For now, Ashley has postponed her clients' appointments until further notice so she can focus on recovery and preparation for a new lifestyle. In the meantime, Ashley and Josh are surviving on a single salary and the outpouring of support from family and friends who are helping with meal preparations, caring for their two dogs, rides to and from the store, appointments, classes, etc. With the support they have received and will continue to receive, Ashley and Josh are forever grateful.
Ashley's vision wall: Her goal is to get back to everything she did before she was diagnosed.
On Thursday, February 25th, 2016, Ashley had a terrible migraine. It was Josh and Ashley's 4-year anniversary and she was determined to enjoy their weekly bowling league. She started to feel weak and dizzy during the game. By the following morning, she was unable to walk straight and her limbs on the left side felt heavy. Throughout the day, she was extremely tired, but in Ashley fashion, pushed through and continued working. By her last client, she was struggling to grip the hair on his head and it was difficult to lift her hand or use the scissors. She went home and rested hoping a good night sleep would help.
When she got to work and had her station set up at the hair salon on Saturday morning, February 27th, 2016, she still had a headache and was still feeling very heavy on her left side. Her aunt arrived for her hair appointment and noticed immediately that Ashley wasn't feeling well. Ashley relayed to her the symptoms over the past two days. By 9am, while doing her aunts hair, she had lost all function and mobility on the left side. Together, they went to Urgent Care, where she was thought to possibly have had a stroke. She was quickly transferred to Emergency where they gave her a spinal tap, MRI, and CT. The doctors ruled out a stroke, but found signs of demyelination in her CT and MRI, which let them to suspect Multiple Sclerosis. Ashley was admitted to the hospital for more tests.
On Sunday, February 28, 2016, Ashley had a second MRI which showed nearly a dozen lesions on her brain and cervical spine. The doctor informed Ashley and Josh that MS the anticipated diagnosis, but they would wait on the spinal tap results to confirm, which was later confirmed on Wednesday. Ashley spent the next week at the hospital with doctors, physical therapists, and friends and family helping her understand MS and the lifelong struggle she was preparing to face.
After the hospital, Ashley spent two week at a rehabilitation center with acute physical therapy and occupational therapy, learning to use her hands again, learning to walk, and learning a new diet that would help with the recovery. She started in a wheelchair and graduated to a walker, cane, and finally was fitted for a foot brace to help her foot lift off the ground. She will need all four tools to manage herd day to day life, each utilized depending on what her symptoms are for the day.
Ashley and her friends and family celebrated her successes along the way – holding a fork AND being able to eat with it; styling her rehab roommate's hair into a ponytail; and stacking plastic cups to a timer.
Ashley was discharged and able to go home on March, 17th, 2016 (*lucky* girl)! However, Josh and Ashley still have a long road ahead as their house will require disability compliant access. We are all very excited for Josh and his new job (just started 2 weeks prior to the hospital stay), but the transition from their insurance coverage to Cobra has left them paying for all the medical necessities out of pocket (foot brace, wheelchair, cane, walker, etc). Ashley is also on a one year waiting list for service dog training.
MS can have very debilitating flare ups. The onset of Ashley’s diagnosis was in the form of her first flare up. Future flare ups may have the same results and require brief hospital stays as well as physical and occupational therapies.
As a very active person, Ashley is determined to get back to the things she loves, such as performing with her competitive tap dancing team, her bowling league, cooking and baking, gardening, driving (for now she is not allowed to drive and has been given a disability placard) and most of all her career as a hair stylist. For now, Ashley has postponed her clients' appointments until further notice so she can focus on recovery and preparation for a new lifestyle. In the meantime, Ashley and Josh are surviving on a single salary and the outpouring of support from family and friends who are helping with meal preparations, caring for their two dogs, rides to and from the store, appointments, classes, etc. With the support they have received and will continue to receive, Ashley and Josh are forever grateful.
Ashley's vision wall: Her goal is to get back to everything she did before she was diagnosed.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ashley House
Beneficiary