Ashley’s Story

Site created on September 15, 2022

Thank you for visiting this CaringBridge website to support my sister, Ashley. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place.

Ashley has had some health stuff going on - this is a condensed version:
On Father’s Day weekend Ashley started having some unexplained itching and it was interrupting her sleep. There were additional symptoms that began to develop over the next couple of weeks. On July 8th she went to the ER with pains in her chest and discovered she had acute pancreatitis. It seemed to clear itself out but her liver numbers remained high. Ashley’s liver numbers continued to increase and her symptoms became more severe and troublesome. On September 1st Ashley went back to the ER, and the next day she had a minor surgery called ERCP. During the ERCP they took a biopsy of a small tumor they found in her duct outside the pancreas. On Wednesday, September 14th Ashley was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma. For clarity, the cancer is Ampulla of Vater (also know as cancer of the bile duct), not pancreatic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma is a cancer that forms in the glandular tissue, which lines certain internal organs. It can be successfully treated in most cases and Ashley’s doctors have been very encouraging and optimistic that she will make a full recovery. By the grace of God the cancer was found very early.

Since Ashley’s diagnosis she has met with a excellent doctor in Greenville, SC about removing it. She has also looked into other medical facilities and doctors. At the recommendation of several doctors she is going to MD Anderson in Houston, TX for a second opinion.

The surgery that is currently being suggested is the Whipple procedure, this is a major operation and will be an extensive recovery time. The goal is to have the surgery as soon as possible.

As you might imagine because Ashley has been ill for awhile now and Aliyah (3 1/2yrs old) has caught on that Mommy is sick but she can’t catch it. She knows that Ashley is going to doctors who will help her feel better. Please continue to pray for Ashley’s healing and for Jared and Aliyah as they navigate this time of “Mommy doesn’t feel good” together. We are hoping and praying for Ashley to be healthy and back to normal life before the holidays. We appreciate your prayers, words of hope and encouragement.

On behalf of Ashley and Jared’s family, thank you!
With gratitude and Love,
Sunny


**Please note that anything posted here is the information we have at the time. There may be exceptions when information is not posted if Ashley decides she wants it kept private. If you have questions feel free to ask, we will do our best to answer them if it's something okay to share.

Newest Update

8 weeks Post Op: A note from Ashley 11.22.2022

Journal entry by Sunny Hodges —

Does life sometimes not feel real? Or you feel numb to it all? But yet sometimes feel so emotional or painful? The Bible says that our lives are only vapors, so it’s understandable. Right now these are my feelings. 

So many uncomfortable days this summer, heartache with the news and reality of the tumor this September, so many painful first few days and weeks post surgery (many I hope to never feel or remember again). Still so many uncomfortable days after meals and yet so many times of feeling like it’s all a blur (and not because of pain meds, since I’ve been off them for awhile, ha). But the other day I felt really normal and it kind of felt weird. It also felt like the past 5 months had never even happened. 


Sometimes I feel like I made a big deal out of this and it’s nothing. I feel bad I even worried anyone about this, but then I remember, no, our God answered our prayers with a miracle that I’m cancer free!! The pain, the reality, the sickness was all real but so is our God! He has heard and answered many prayers and is still in the business of miracles and showing up for His children.

So while I look at my 6” scar and wonder when I can eat my desired food of raw veggies again or what I can eat (without getting sick), I know that He is still writing my story just like He is writing your story. Remember He is with us in the valleys AND the mountain tops. He is holding our hands along the journey and just a whisper or shout away!! We are all loved by Him!

I will always remember the love, encouragement, support and generosity that my family and I have received from so many, near and far, even those unexpected! 

So while we go into this season of thanksgiving, I pray you know that I’m especially thankful for each of you, your prayers, your love, that we have never felt alone in this season, and especially to be CANCER FREE!! 

Life is short and I’m trying to feel more present and more thankful than ever before. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Love Always,

Ashley

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