Updating for Ash

Hi Everyone, It's Alysia again, just popping in to give you an update on Ashli b/c she still does not have her laptop in working order yet.

Monday Ashli went to Chicago and met with Dr. Leonetti (Loyola) for a second opinion regarding the growth. Unfortunately, he said that based on her symptoms, he is pretty certain the growth is cancer. He (and the other doctors she has met with) all agree that they do not believe the growith is operable. Lori Cloud (God bless her) is taking Ashli next week to have another appointment with Dr. Vokes (University of Chicago) and a surgeon regarding the possibility of biopsying. One thing I know Ashli & Lori will question is why she should have a biopsy when they told her that regardless of the results, they will suggest chemo and/or radiation treatment. We all think it seems silly to put her through the trauma of a brain biopsy if their treatment plan will be the same regardless. Hopefully we will get some answers to that.

Here are some ways you can pray for her right now:

• Pray for Ashli's spirits. I can tell they are deflating a bit. She needs to have some positive things happen to rejuvenate her and prepare her for what is ahead.
• Pray that the doctor's will agree to allow Goshen administer the treatment so Ashli doesn't have to move again. THIS IS HUGE!!! She does not want to go through a "California" separation all over again when she is feeling horrible & alone. None of us feel all that comfortable about her having to live elsewhere either.
• Pray for Ashli physically. She is mostly sleeping and puking she needs some relief of these symptoms to help her feel well and prepare her body for what is ahead physically.
• Pray for clarity in the appointment and that they will ask the right questions. Pray that there is a logical explanation regarding the biopsy or that they can allow her to skip it and just move forward w/ the treatments.

Also I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to those of you who have driven her to Chicago for appointments etc. It's a huge relief that she has other people in her life who are able to help out as well! Thank you so much! It has made things much easier for her and for all of us.

One last thing. . .I know at one point, Ash had blogged about the Old Spice contest my husband and I entered and we found out that we ACTUALLY WON!!! So to anyone who voted for us, or took the time to pass the info onto your friends etc we appreciate it so much! We are waiting to hear back from them now re: the itinerary we sent for our vacation this summer! So anyone who voted. . .THANK YOU! And pass the word along to anyone else you had vote for us!

---Alysia