#TeagueStrong #RoadToTestimony

Hi, I'm Ashley, a 28 year old full time Indianapolis based freelance photographer and mother of 2 that was diagnosed with stage 2 aggressive, early stage 3 colon cancer and Lynch Syndrome on 12/29/20. Overall I have been healthy my entire life, no underlying health issues, never so much as broke a bone before. Around April 2020 I began going back and forth between my primary care physician and the emergency room complaining of constant side pain, unexplainable weight I had loss, literally everything I ate rather it was junk food , healthy , WHATEVER I was having to have a bowl movement . I was having them anywhere from 6-8 times a day and the consistency was different almost EVERY time ( another big sign for anyone dealing with something similar ) some of the stools started to have blood in them. I had COUNTLESS quarts of blood drawn, my white and red blood cells are ALL still there by the grace of God so my blood was UNDETECTED , I’ve had an ultrasound of my lower abdominal where all they found was a “cyst” on my left ovary, still no “detection” of cancer, I had a cat scan of my lower abdominal where my cat scan showed nothing so my SYMPTOMS ( that were PARALLEL to IBS ) kept being ignored. One IU doctor even just agreed with me and said “yea it’s IBS, I’m going to prescribe you some naproxen for the pain, unfortunately IBS is not curable. You’re TOO YOUNG for a colonoscopy, but I don’t think it’s needed!” Even AFTER I expressed to her that my MOTHER , a DIRECT relative had the very rare Lynch Syndrome and was a two time cancer survivor. I was STILL ignored ! This was the end of November. 

Fast forward to the 2nd week of December I made another appointment with my PCP where I then told them my FATHER ( another DIRECT relative ) was a survivor of colon cancer and they FINALLY scheduled me a colonoscopy . After 6 MONTHS OF COMPLAINING & being turned away simply because I LOOKED healthy and because my blood was undetectable of any illness. I was FINALLY on the path to making sense of all the changes my body had underwent the last year.

Due to me having Lynch Syndrome as well as my tumor being the size of a baseball, my colorectal doctor is wanting to act expeditiously. Told me I've had this tumor for just over a year and that I was lucky to still be alive. BUT GOD !! I am scheduled for a total colectomy on Wednesday January 20th, this is an in-patient surgery and I will be recovering post hospital for 5-7 weeks. I am expected to make a full recovery. Depending on if my surrounding lymph-nodes test non cancerous I won't have to do chemo or radiation! I trust GOD SO I KNOW THE BATTLE IS ALREADY WON ! 

The out pour of love has been more than I could have ever imagined. It was hard having my life turned upside down in the blink of an eye, but I'm A FIGHTER, and my purpose here is NOT done ! I plan to start a non for profit to educate others on Lynch syndrome, the signs and symptoms to look for etc. I will also be advocating for the health care age resections on when we can be giving CANCER PREVENTIVE screenings such as colonoscopies and mammograms to be diminished. Cancer does not know age, race, sexual orientation, NOTHING.I will be a VOICE for the millennials! WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR US ; OR NO ONE WILL!

Soooo many people have asked me how can they help, or what can they do while I'll be down, so instead of consistently giving out my cash app etc, I created this. This fundraiser will aid in my patient cost for the screenings and second opinions I have coming up as well as any medications and or supplement cost while I am down. It will also aid in start up cost of the Ashley E. Teague Colorectal Cancer Awareness Foundation. 

EVERYTHING HELPS, no amount is too little! I appreciate all the calls, text, inboxes, everything! The prayers and words of courafgement have REALLY gotten me through! JANUARY 20, 2020WON WILL BE THE START OF MY #ROADTOTESTIMONY !!

#TEAGUESTORNG #LETSKICKCANCERSASS <3