Help Ashley make it through Cancer - Round 2

I can't believe I'm typing this. As most of you know, my sister Ashley was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in R breast in October 2018. She had chemo, a lumpectomy, and multiple lymph nodes removed. After surgery the pathology report showed full response to chemo and had completely killed the tumor. 33 rounds of radiation were given to work as “ clean up” and completed treatment 5/2019. 

Fast forward almost exactly 1 year later when Ashley went in to have an oncology RN look at her R breast because it was red, inflamed and tender (thought it was cellulitis again). Antibiotic was given and RN decided to order an ultrasound just to be safe. A spot was found and a biopsy determined the same type of cancer had returned on opposite side of breast. As you can imagine, we were/are heartbroken. For this to come back is tragic, but during Covid, this was a whole different case than the first time around. I'm still sad to say this is the second time. 

Her oncologist decided it was best to consult a breast cancer specialist at UWHealth in Madison. After an appointment with the specialist it was decided she would oversee the treatment plan. Chemo was started 6/18/20 given weekly, along with keytruda (immunotherapy) every 3rd week, for a total of 12 weeks. Keytruda was to be given for a total of 1 year. During this time there were many trips to Madison for tests, scans, and check ups.

The plan was after chemo, a R mastectomy would be done. If the pathology report showed no inflammation cancer was present (so no need for 2nd radiation), and there were clear margins, L mastectomy and diep flap reconstruction would be done a few weeks after R mast. 

R mast. was done 9/30/20. Pathology report 10/13/20 showed clear margins and no inflammation cancer (yay!). Unfortunately, the chemo did not shrink the cancer, only broke it down and a 1.5cm tumor that was still in the tissue. 

Some of you may not know that Ashley also has Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Due to her RA it was determined the best course of action was to stop the Keytruda and start Xeloda (chemo pill) for six months.  L mast and reconstruction will have to wait until Xeloda is completed. This is a hard one to swallow.

Ashley started the Xeloda a few weeks ago and of course, she has every side affect. Within a few days of starting the meds, the side effects started. Nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, sore/spots on hands and feet. Ashley is currently on about 12 medications a day, all taken at 4 different times throughout the day. There are about 7 as needed medications, all of which are basically taken throughout the day also. She is currently traveling to Madison once a week for OT to get strength/mobility back, as well as, for lymphodema in her arm. She currently has a sinus infection and on antibiotics for that.

She was hoping to be able to be back to running around Matero’s soon, unfortunately by the looks of things and current COVID pandemic, it doesn’t look like she will be able to do that any time soon.

We were hoping we could have a benefit so Ashley could thank everyone for their help and see everyone. due to Covid continuing to spread we are unable to do so for her health, and the health of others. We do have plans to have a get-together of some sort once she is better and the risk to her and others is not so high. 

Please, if you are in a spot where you have the ability to help, please do. If you are able, please say a prayer and share.  To you, PLEASE STAY SAFE <3 Thank you for all your love and support.

As Ash would say, “Be kind, stay humble, and take care ”