Ashlee Smoot
Everyone knows someone who has beat, who has, or has passed away from cancer. It's everywhere, and unfortunately it is just part of this world. When you are young and raising a family you don't expect for cancer to show its nasty head.
Ashlee is only 32 with 3 young kids. 6-year-old twins, a boy and girl and a 2-year-old boy. She is healthy, strong, and the best mom's ever. She eats pretty well, doesn't drink soda, alcohol, or smoke. She is active, skis, bikes, and chases kids. NOT the person you would expect to have cancer.
Audy and Ashlee had just returned from a trip to NYC and Ash was complaining of being a little tired, some back pain, and when she would eat she said she felt like she had rocks in her stomach. As the next few weeks went on the pain increased in her back, so she finally agreed to see a Doctor.
They first took and x-ray, then ordered an ultrasound. After that she had a CT scan and on Saturday October 11th 2014, the Physicians Assistant at the local clinic diagnosed Ashlee with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The family was in shock! They consulted a cousin who is a radiologist, and he referred is to an oncologist. They was told that based on the CT scan it could be a variety of lymphomas. All signs pointed to stage 3 lymphoma.
The next test Ash had was a PET scan, to identify how far the cancer had spread, and then a biopsy to determine the specific cancer. The PET scan showed active cancer in her lymphnodes in her neck, around her heart, lungs, and abdomen. The Smoot's moved forward and felt like they had wrapped their heads around the diagnosis and were 100% ready to push forward and start whatever treatments Ashlee needed.
The day they met with the oncologist the biopsy results came back. Ashlee was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer that has spread to her lymphnodes. The doctor explained the devastating diagnosis. He said most people are lucky to live for 30 months....Audy describes nearly passing out in consequence to the news...complete shock, anger, fear, sadness followed. Most can only imagine the range of emotions this little family has felt over the last 2 weeks.
As far as Ash is concerned, NO one can tell her how long she has to live, and why can't she be the one to beat this? She is strong, has so much to live for...and most importantly she feels that her time to go back to her Heavenly Father is NOT in the near future. She is ready to fight, but needs our help!
There is strength in numbers. Ashlee, Audy, and the kids have expressed being brought to tears and humbled by the amount of prayers, love, compassion, and concern that friends, family and even complete strangers from all over the world have shown. They know they have a steep hill to climb, but they are up for the challenge.
Are you up for the challenge of helping this sweet family by doing Anything for a Friend? What will you do for your friend in need?
About the Event: "LIFE IS FOR LIVING"
Date: April 20th 2015
Time: 6pm
Activities:
- Special Concert by Award-Winning Entertainer Jason Hewlett
Purchase your tickets online at: http://www.the-grand.org/events/current/ashleesmoot
- Featuring Silent & Live Auction
Organizing Committee Meeting:
For donations, inquiries, and information on the Organizing Committee, please contact Amber Lindke at amberlindke@hadleyimpact.com.
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