Author: ashley

Ashley went through her pre-op preparation being asked the same set of questions five times. They gave her a gown that has a port that they blow warm air into and I think that really helped her to be comfortable and (more) calm.

The surgery should take about 2 ½ hours.

The team may or may not use electricity to stimulate her muscles to see how the brain reacts take sure they aren’t getting close to critical structures while operating. On the latest MRI there was some additional growth of the tumor that looks like it may require opening the skull a bit more but Dr. Badie sounded hopeful that this would not be the case and that he could get it with the previous opening.

Thank you everyone for all of your prayers and support. I can not imagine what this would’ve been like without it. We’d probably both be dead 😅.

I will update as I get updated. Much love,

Damien

Good evening my dear friends,

Tomorrow is the surgery and I feel nervous but also trusting in God’s plan. This is the path He has given me. I will accept all things from Him for I believe Him when He says in Romans 8:28 that He works all things for the good of those who love Him and who were called according to His purpose. I love you, Lord, help me love you more. I pray I show my kids a good example of what it means to pick up my cross and follow Him. I pray I show them God’s love for them and they know how badly I want them to live only for God. I want them to be saints. I fail everyday and pray God makes them saints in spite of me. I also pray 1 day, Lord willing after I have been healed and lived to an old age that, I will hear God say,Well done, good and faithful servant.

I dont want to do this surgery again, I dont want to be away from my kids, I dont want to feel the pain, I dont want to suffer, but above all that I want to do God’s Will. By God’s grace and by His love, I will surrender all and I will accept everything, embrace it, and follow Him. He is my savior, and He has done great things for me, Holy is His name.

This morning, I was able to see a few friends and Father Augustine came over to visit and give me the anointing of the sick. He moved to Illinois a few years ago so it was wonderful to see him and catch up. Im so thankful for the amazing Norbertine Priests and our Catholic community.

We left the house and are headed to the City of Hope Hotel for tonight. My surgery was confirmed for 11:30am tomorrow. Im so blessed to have you all praying for me and my family. Please be assured of all my prayers and sacrifices for all of you as well.

Damien will post tomorrow as he receives updates during and after surgery.

Thank you for everything, my beautiful friends and family.

Here I am Lord. I will do your Will.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything. Jesus, we trust in you.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

God Bless you all,

Ashley

Dear Friends,

I have a surgery date and update from City of Hope. City of Hope tumor board also agreed it is regrowth and surgery is needed. My surgery is scheduled for March 6th at City of Hope in Duarte with Dr. Badie. My headaches and head pressure are getting excruciating, my leg heaviness and weakness is worse, Im getting these jerky twitches in my arm and leg. They prescribed steriods to help with my symptoms until the surgery. I am offering up everything and maybe God wants me to suffer in this way to change my heart and draw me closer. I will try harder to accept this pain and suffering. Lord, what do you want me to learn from this? I will pray and trust. It is more real now, and I am nervous about it all.

This morning, I got the results of the brain mri I had yesterday. There is good news and bad news. The good news is that there was no more growth in the regrowth found in January. The bad news is there is a new tumor that is growing adjacent to the other one. I still need to talk to the City of Hope neurosurgeon about these results and if he will be able to remove all tumors. Praying he is able to get everything out safely, with no complications and a smooth recovery.

I will have a pre op appointment either later this week or early next week and find out the 5th exactly what time my surgery will be on the 6th.

Please continue to pray for me and my family. Thank you for all your prayers and support. I will post another update after talking with Dr. Badie and my pre op appt.

Damien will post updates during surgery and after.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

Mother Mary wrap us in your mantle of protection and draw us closer to your Son.

God bless you all.

Ashley

My dear friends,

Damien and I had a very nice drive home from Texas. We drove about 11 hours from MD Anderson to Las Cruces. We spent the night in a hotel there. In the morning, Damien found a Carmelite convent 1 mile from our hotel! We stopped there to pray before finishing our drive. It was a beautiful little chapel that was so peaceful. We heard the sisters singing when we first entered. After praying, we saw a gift shop. We were let into the small gift shop by a sweet nun. She went behind a large gate and we attempted to communicate. She only spoke Spanish. We ended up using Google translate. It was so amazing. We told her a little of our story. She gave me a statue of St. Rafael which was so generous. She gave each of us a blessing and had us write our names down so they can pray for us in their masses and Rosaries. It was a beautiful experience and Im so thankful for all the miracles God has done during my journey.

Over the past week, I have had appointments and conversations with many doctors.

An overall recap and conclusion from all these is that MD Anderson completed their pathology and had 2 tumor board meetings on my case. We received a call this morning stating that the pathology was not 100% but with the tumor board meetings and pathology they think it is more likely an ependymoma primary brain tumor. The radiation treatment I had in December is not the correct radiation I should have gotten. So, this is probably why it regrew and there is inflammation in the area. They recommend another surgery soon. They will do more pathology on the tumor and see if they can get a more concrete diagnosis. If it is ependymoma the a 6wk proton radiation treatment is recommended. It is only available in 2 places in California. It was recommended that I go to UCSD. This will be very difficult logistics to figure out but it is closer than Texas!

Yesterday Damien and I met with Dr. Badie a neurosurgeon at City of Hope in Duarte. This quick appointment was made by another miracle! A friend of a friend (Jacque) who is going through her own long pancreatic cancer journey was talking with me. Please keep her in your prayers. Please pray she is restored to full health and all cancer is gone. I told her some of my story and how I wanted to meet with a neurosurgeon at City of Hope but was having trouble doing that. Within 5 minutes, she connected me with the CEO of City of Hope. The CEO was amazing and 5 minutes later I had an appointment booked with Dr. Badie. God is so incredible to me and I am so unworthy of such miracles.

We both really liked him. He will present my case at his tumor board tomorrow morning and in the afternoon he will talk to me about what they discussed and schedule my surgery. I am hoping for next week to give myself more time to recover before my family goes on a planned cruise in mid May. I really want to go on this cruise with my whole family and especially my kids. It will be less than 3 months after surgery but it is something I can look forward to and hope for.

Once pathology results are completed again and I recover about a month, then we will see what is recommended or if our plan needs to change.

I have 1 more Brain MRI on Monday to see what my brain has been up to this past month before we proceed with surgery.

Im thanking God for a clear path forward, for all the great doctors, friends, and new friends I have met along the way, that have been so helpful and caring. It has been a crazy couple weeks, but we have had incredible support from all of you! Your prayers, sacrifices, meals, texts, donations, calls, encouragement, are so powerful. We are truly blessed with a community that has been there for us beyond my wildest dreams. God has given me His peace and comfort through all of you.

I know these next few months will challenging, but God will use it for His glory and I am offering Him everything and praying His Will continue to be done in all our lives. O’ Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything.

Venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen, pray for us. I am asking for a complete healing from all cancer through his intercession.

I will post another update when I have a surgery date. Thank you for everything friends.

God Bless you all,

Ashley

Dear Friends,

I want thank each one of you. I have enjoyed all the texts of encouragement, prayers, and support. I want to express a huge thank you to all the people who have stepped in to care for the kids, bring meals, snacks, and help keep the house running while we are in Texas.

As far as updates, I wish I had a better one to give. We are driving home with not much more clarity than we had when we left.

On Wednesday, we saw a neuro oncologist, neurosurgeon, and radiology oncologist. My tumor slides arrived Tues. And have been expedited to hopefully be completed by this Tues. 2/17. All 3 of the doctors were kind, but none could give me a clear path until we know what we are dealing with. They were all split on whether it was necrosis, regrowth or possibly both. Our biggest prayer is for the pathology results to come back with a clear diagnosis so the doctors can come up with the best treatment plan. The neuro oncologist was not very hopeful that any treatment would be very effective considering how quickly it grew back if this is regrowth. She did explain that usually with either type of the possible brain tumors I have that it is not IF it will grow back but When it will grow back. This is very discouraging news. All 3 did say surgery would most likely be needed but the timeline was not as urgent as Hoag. They want an MRI done at the end of the month to see what changes they can see on there.

The radiology oncologist was a very young lady. She also was the most confident in her opinions. She thinks that it is regrowth and thoroughly explained why she thought this. It seemed very convincing to Damien and I. She showed us images of necrosis and compared it with my mri and showed us the differences. She did give us a glimmer of hope. She brought up using something called a gamma tile that is implanted during surgery. The gamma tile would be placed in the tumor bed after they remove everything they possilbly can. The radiation would start immediately and 50% would be released in the first 10 days and then the remaining 50% would be released over the next 20 days. After about 30 days the radiation would be done and the tile will dissolve. In researching this, it seems to be my best option. It has high success rates, 81%-100% success in stopping recurrence in the first 12 months which is better than 30% for other radiation options presented to me. Hoag does not do this procedure and I dont think City of Hope does either, so that may be a way to have insurance approve surgery and the gamma tile to be done at MD Anderson. The radiology oncologist also said she is bringing my case to a tumor board on Friday 2/13. She said she would call me after this meeting to discuss what they talked about and if they had any opinions for me.

The neuro oncologist did say she would try to help me with getting insurance to approve MD Anderson for my care. The neuro oncology team will also have a tumor board meeting next week to discuss my case. So we wait again for pathology, tumor board meeting and end of month mri. We are continuing to surrender and trying to trust in Jesus and His plan for us. Praying that at the end of all this we have a good and hopeful plan of action.

Another miracle we need is for either insurance to approve MD Anderson for care, they denied my consults and we paid cash. Or for us to be given a way to pay cash for surgery and treatment.

O Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything.

We are asking for the intercession of Bishop Fulton Sheen. He needs 1 more miracle.

Thank you dear friends for joining us in prayer and for the tremedous support. It truly is miraculous to us, we are humbled and grateful for everyone God has placed in our life. I love you all.

God Bless,

Ashley

My dear friends,

I just wanted to share a quick update. We flew into Texas yesterday. We got off to a rocky start with the toilets on our first flight not working. We sat at the gate for over an hour while they tried to fix them. Eventually they were fixed and off we went. I felt bad because the family next to us missed their connecting flight because of the delay. Our second flight was also delayed a little due to maintenance. It was a very quick flight and we landed safely. We are now in a hotel 2 miles from MD Anderson. The hotel has a shuttle that takes you to and from the hospital which is nice.

I miss all my babies already. Im nervous about my appointments and the future, but I am armed with an arsenal of intercession from the saints, Mary, and all of you. This brings me peace. I know God will take care of everything.

As of today,I am still self pay so I pray insurance approves everything today.

I want to thank everyone who came out to see me, called me, texted me, gave me precious and irreplaceable sacramentals. Your love and generosity are mind blowing. I cherish everything you gave me and everyone of you.

I want to give a huge thank you, and thank you doesn’t do it justice, to the Pascale family for opening their home for us to see so many of you before we left. I love you all so much.

I want to send my heartfelt gratitude to all the families who so eagerly changed their schedules and sacrificed to make sure my children are well cared for. I am so unworthy of such extreme generosity. Damien puts it so well when he says this is the Kingdom of God manifesting itself before our eyes. God is with us, God is real. He desires to give us good things and my God has been so incredibly good to me. I cant even believe it.

Today Damien and I are going to rest and maybe explore a little before my appointments tomorrow. My first appointment is 10am Texas time. Please continue to storm heaven for me. God will hear our prayers and answer them according to His Holy Will.

God Bless,

Ashley

My dear Prayer Warriors,

Im so sorry I have not posted in a while. Since the news, we have been busy making calls and going to get second and third and forth opinions. One day I will try to explain more in depth all the amazing miracles God has done to get to me to this point.

All the second,third and fourth opinions encouraged me to try and get to MD Anderson in Texas. So through God’s grace and divine providence I now have 3 appointments there and my tumor sample slides being sent there for pathology. I wish I could explain all the incredible doors God opened. Damien and I leave Monday morning the 9th. Kids will stay home with family and our indescribable community that are being God’s hands and feet to my family. Thank you dear friends for helping us in our time of need, I will never be able to repay you all.

Backing up a little bit, all the second, third and fourth opinions were split 50/50 on what was happening in my brain. Half said it is regrowth and I need surgery. Half said it could be something called radiation necrosis. Either way its not great but necrosis is preferred. Damien and I have learned that it is very difficult for even experienced oncologists and neurosurgeons to tell the difference on MRIs. These opinions also told me that they dont think my diagnosis is ependymoma. So we are back to square 1 of what the heck is this?

I have several prayer requests.

1. For God’s strength and grace to get through what His will is.
2. For very quick and clear answers at MD Anderson with the pathology results and path forward with regards to surgery and treatment.
3. For God to pour His love and strength over my children who are having such a difficult time with mom and dad leaving again for an unknown amount of time and uncertain situation.
4. For insurance to cover any appointments, scans, surgery, and treatment that may be needed.
5. For my full and complete healing.
6. For the conversion of all my family and friends.
7. For all the people who have sacrificed for us, supported us. And loved us during this time.
8. For safe and smooth travels.
9. Most of all For God’s will to be done and for us to align ourselves with God’s will.

We are asking for prayers through the intercession of Venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen.

Please dont hesitate to reach out to me. If I cant respond right away, I will as soon as I can.

Please feel free to share our givesendgo. Your generosity already has been overwhelming and we are so grateful!

https://www.givesendgo.com/Supportforthedennisfamily

Lord, help me. Guide my every step, help me be aligned with your Holy Will always. Mother Mary wrap me in your mantle of protection, hold me like you held your Son. Thank you all my friends, brothers and Sisters in Christ for your prayers, encouragement, love, sacrifices, support, and witness. God is so good to me, and I am unworthy of it all. Mother Mary, pray for us.

Bishop Fulton Sheen, beg God for a miracle on my behalf for full restoration of my health and for all cancer to be gone.

I will update as soon as I can.

God bless you all,

Ashley

Good morning prayer warriors,

I went to my oncologist yesterday and it was not the news we were hoping for. My husband and I both felt something was wrong for different reasons. My appointment was at 4pm but he didn’t walk in the room until 5pm. He gave us pretty devastating news. The radiation did nothing. The cancer almost doubled in size in 6 weeks. Literally no one has ever seen this cancer before. NIH (National Institute of Health), Mayo clinic, Karis group, Hoag and City of Hope did every possible test that they have at their disposal and none of them know what it is or where it came from. Im one of a kind.

His recommendation was another surgery as early as next week. A stronger more broad radiation, with chemo and immune suppressant because it may help the chemo work better in my brain. Basically there is no protocol. We will throw everything at it and pray for a miracle. We will do modern treatment and holistic medicine. Anything and everything. Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything. Jesus, I don’t understand and as a very dear friend told me, I dont have to understand. I will trust Him. I pray he makes saints of my children, husband, all my family, each of you and myself. God is calling us all to trust him and to pursue radically holiness. I will not let my suffering go to waste. Please message me your intentions and I will offer it up for you all. Please pray for me and for my dear husband and children. We will be praying for you. Thank you for helping me carry this cross and loving my family.

God Bless you all,

Ashley

Hello my dear Prayer Warriors

I know I havent updated in a while so here it goes.

I had a different Pet scan that scans for neuroendocrine cancer because that is the most probable type of cancer that they think is the origin. The Pet scan showed no new cancer in body. It did show regrowth of the cancer in my brain. It was difficult to hear that. We are praying that the radiation treatment kills the regrowth.

It was interesting because I saw 2 oncologists. One is a more general oncologist at City of Hope and 1 is more of a neuro oncologist at Hoag. The Hoag oncologist saw the regrowth of the brain cancer and seems more convinced that there was no other cancer in my body. The City of Hope oncologist did not say anything about the regrowth of brain cancer and was not convinced that there is no other cancer in my body. He ordered a lot more bloodwork (5 large viles and 4 small viles to be exact) and a 24 hour urine sample. He wanted me to do colonoscopy, endoscopy and swallow a camera to check small intestines, MRIs and all sorts of tests. While Im glad he wants to be thorough, it is so much.

I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy on the 30th. They did not find any cancer.

I had a women wellness check, mammogram. The mammogram came back normal! I had an MRI of my abdomen and pelvic area. I am awaiting the results of that. On Thursday I have a follow up with the City of Hope Oncologist to go over bloodwork and MRI results.

I still have not decided if I want to swallow the camera. I feel like it is over kill. They did 2 pet scans and then Friday’s MRI. If they dont find anything on the MRI,then I will talk to my oncologists about possibly or not doing that. Also, my mammogram came back normal but they want me to do a MRI of my breast. All these tests are so much radiation,contrast and medications, that Im afraid all these will cause cancer. Im praying all the tests I have done find no cancer.

This past week I have been feeling the effects of the radiation treatment. Im losing my hair in the treatment area on top of my head. I didnt think that I would lose so much and it does make me sad, it keeps falling out in chunks everyday. I can feel how thin it is. I just need to offer it up to Jesus. My left leg is weak and foot is numb. My head is super tender, itchy, and feels like it is on fire at times. Cali made a joke and said I am like Hades from Hercules movie with fire coming off my head. So true. I can feel the heat on my head sometimes. Im tired and have very little energy. Im hoping to feel better in the next couple weeks.

My mother in law is in the process of moving in but is almost done.

Damien and I have been praying the surrender novena on repeat. It has been so comforting and brought us peace. God will take care of everything. Thank you all for your continued prayers, meals, friendship and love. I love you all. Jesus we trust in you. There is hope that I will be cancer free, Lord willing.

God Bless,

Ashley

Good evening friends,

There has been a lot happening in the past week. I was suppose to start radiation last Wednesday, but there was an issue with insurance. They denied it at first. I was not informed that they denied it, then there was a miscommunication and all my appointments were canceled. I spent most of last Wednesday and Thursday on the phone trying to figure everything out. I finally got approved and got my appointments made again. A big thank you to Cindy at City of Hope for helping me figure it all out. She was great.

I had radiation on Friday and I felt so awful afterwards. I had internal shakiness, tired, headache , my lips went numb during the treatment but nurse said it was from mask. Saturday I felt a tiny bit better. We went to Marcos funeral. I was able to make it through the mass but could not go to internment. I spent the rest of the day in bed. Sunday was a little better. I made it through mass and spent rest of the day in bed. Today I woke up and felt much better. I was very nervous to another radiation treatment but it ended up being much better. The only side effects were tired and a little headache which was to be expected.

Tomorrow I have my last radiation treatment! Then in the afternoon I will have a special type of pet scan that will check for neuroendocrine cancer cells. Please pray for a clear scan. I have a doctor’s appointment Thursday to go over those results.

Wednesday I have my first appointment with the oncologist at City of Hope as well as a genetic counseling appointment.

After Thursday I have a little break from appointments until December 30th. On that day I will have a colonoscopy. Im very tired and going to bed now. Love you all.

God Bless all of you. Thank you for your prayers, acts of love, and meals. I will update later this week.

God Bless,

Ashley Dennis