Together We Weather the Storm

Many of you have been impacted by the story of Ashley Lien and her sweet girls. Their world was turned upside down with the news of her ex-husband, the father of her girls, and the double life that he lived - and yet, there are more battles to be fought. Days after her ex-husband, Dan Peggs, had been sentenced to eight years in prison for possession of child pornography, she received news of further medical tests that needed to be completed due to past abnormal paps. On January 20, 2022, at the age of 34 years old, Ashley was diagnosed with Stage 3C1 Cervical Cancer.  The abnormal pap detected hpv a couple years ago due to Dan's lifestyle choices, and it became cancer and spread very quickly over these past  two years.  She has already had surgery to remove as much of the cancer as they can. Most of the tumor was removed, but it has spread to her lymph nodes.

 

This diagnosis is hard to digest. Just as the chapter of their old life had finally closed and the healing process could begin, she is faced with quite possibly her biggest fight yet. Ashley is a single mom of four beautiful, amazing little girls - Ari (9), Emery (7), Iylah (5), and Nova (2). She pours her whole life into them each and every day. Ashley is their whole world, their safe place, their protector, and their amazing Mom.

 

Her treatment plan is starting immediately. Ashley will need internal and external radiation every day for four weeks, and then she will need to follow up with chemotherapy for two weeks. Our community has rallied around this family before, and we know we can do it again. With medical bills about to add up, traveling to and from her many appointments in Madison,  and being the sole provider for her family - it would be so helpful to help support Ashley and her girls.  Ashley will learn more on Tuesday as she travels to meet again with her oncologist in Madison.  A prayer, a meal, a donation to help with these unknown expenses as they arise would be greatly appreciated. 

An account is also set up at RCU under Ashley Peggs if you want to donate directly. Meal Train information and updated information will be sent once Ashley learns more. There is a long road ahead of Ashley and her girls. Once treatment is done, she will need regular appointments in Madison for years to come. From the start of this journey until the end, the strength of this community will lift them up once again. 

 

“We hold on and brace ourselves for the ride. Some hills are harder than others, and some turns catch us off guard, but in the end, all we can do is keep holding on tight. We hold on to each other, and we hold on to each and every one of you. Each message is read and tucked in a special spot in my heart. Each kind gesture will never be forgotten, and knowing that we have your support when it seems like an uphill battle, is what keeps us looking forward. Thank you, Ashley Lien.”

This will be a journey, not a race. Your kindness and generosity does not go unnoticed. We love Ashley, her girls and this community.

 

Together We Dance,

Laura Trachsel, Paige Parsons, and Brooke Kaldor