Another Update

Hi All,

I heard people have been calling. It's been a very busy and trying few weeks. Ashli wanted to blog herself, so that's why we were waiting to update you. . .but I will give you a brief update and she can go into detail later when she has time.

Ashli's doctors at Chicago have decided to stop her treatments for now. They think it was perhaps hindering more than helping. Obviously this means anyone who was supposed to drop off or pickup, you are off the hook for now! =)

For the last few weeks she has been having some serious problems with her back. Last week it all culminated in a trip to the ER b/c she was having problems feeling her legs. They ran some tests at the ER and everything came back "normal". But she is basically paralyzed from the waist down right now. The nurse at the ER couldn't tell us if this was related to the tumor or if the back/leg thing is semi-unrelated and 'may' go away if her back gets better.

Please pray for relief for Ashli's back. The spasms are very painful for her and the immobility is very hard for Anne & Joel since they are the ones primarily helping her now that they are moved in.

Thanks!

--Alysia

G-Tube In!!!

The G-Tube is IN PLACE!!! Thanks! Your prayers must have made the difference this time around! =)

--Alysia

Update

Hey all,

It's Alysia, Just logging in to give an update. As most of you know, last week, Elkhart General tried to put a G-Tube in for Ashli. . .TWICE to no avail. Apparently, her bowel is blocking one opening the tube needs to come through and her rib is a little low and is blocking the other opening. Ashli was released from Elkhart last Friday afternoon. By Sunday when I took her to Chicago, she was in sorry shape. So they were not allowing her to have her chemo/radiation yet. On Tuesday morning Chicago took a 'stab' at trying to put the G-Tube in. They could not get it in either. This afternoon they are trying ONE MORE TIME to put the Tube in. This is a HUGE area for prayer today. There are other ways for Ash to get nutrition, but there are more risks of infection with those other methods and it's harder on her body. Today they are going to try to SURGICALLY put it in. (Rather than just go through her mouth etc). Please pray that things will go well and that her body will recoop from surgery.

Also, if people are willing to stay with Ashli while she is in Chicago, I know she appreciates it. After being there with her for a few days, I now understand completely why she doesn't want to be there alone. It's hard to get the nurses to come when you need them. I don't think this is a testament to their skill, just that they are grossly understaffed in oncology. But regardless, it does affect the type of care she receives.

For those of you who signed up for pickup/dropoff for Ash, we are now just going to fly by the seat of our pants on that. We have no idea if they will keep her and have her treated next week or if she will be released and have to wait yet ANOTHER week for her third round. If that is the case, she will be almost a month behind on her treatments. =(

So obviously this is another area of prayer. . .that they can find a way to keep her HEALTHY on her off weeks so that her body is ready for her next round of treatments.

Thanks for your continued prayers. If anyone is willing to maybe take a few days out of their schedule to stay with Ashli in Chicago please email me or call Ashli's home phone and leave a message. I believe I posted my email in a prior message. Thanks!

--Alysia

One more quick thing

In Anne's excitement to tell you all the funny dreams Ashli's been having she forgot to ask if anyone was available to go stay for a portion of next week (end part) w/ Ash in Chicago. Ashli hates being in Chicago alone.

I am going to drive her up on Sunday and stay through Tuesday afternoon. So if someone happens to be free either maybe Wed & Thurs or Thurs & Fri, then drop me an email or call Ashli's HOME phone and leave a message for her on the machine. Now that Anne & Joel are moved in, they will get the message and can help make arrangements and give driving directions.

toryalysia@yahoo.com

Thanks~

--Alysia

Same old Ashli a few new tricks

Hi everyone! This is Anne the invisible sister because to those of you that have not met me I have only been known in theory. I was sitting with Ashli at the Elkhart General Hospital and thought I would update you all on what's going on with her. We came to the hospital on Mondy, April 3oth because Ashli was having alot of chest congestion. They decided she had a slight case of pnemonia which they have been taking care of. They also decided they wanted her to go to Chicago to get a feeding tube on this Thursday. Then they decided not (so for those of you who thought she was going it's off now.) As of today, the plan is she will be coming home on Friday, then return to Chicago for her next round of chemo and radiation.

So, now that you are all caught up on the information, I have a few funny Ashli stories for you. As many of you know, Ashli has been on some pretty strong pain meds one of which cause her to come in and out of sleep and have some very vivid dreams. First story, Ashli had a couple of visitors here and they were having a nice serious conversation when she dozed off. When she came to she said "I want another sandwhich." Turns out she was dreaming about an Arby's beef and cheddar. Second story, a couple of days ago she fell asleep with a box of kleenex beside her, she proceeded to pick it up and start tearing the box open. When she came to she said she was dreaming she was opening a box of ice cream bars. There are many more funny stories but I thought you would like to know that as we all know, Ashli is a very funny person, but dilaudid makes her funnier.