Teresa’s Story

Site created on June 28, 2018

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


Teresa is a wonderful wife and great mother of three fabulous kids.  She has lived in the Black Hills of Rapid City, SD for 18 years.  She loves her family, the outdoors and her dog, Kolby.


Teresa has stage 4, Double Hit Lymphoma.  A rare, very aggressive form of cancer.  Symptoms didn't show until about five weeks ago.  We had mistaken them for side effects from some drugs she was taking for a pinched nerve in her back.  She stopped taking the drugs, the symptoms got worse.  On June 12, she went to her doctor to discuss the symptoms.  By nightfall she was admitted to the hospital and our lives were turned upside down.


The local hospital in Rapid City did a biopsy.  Initial diagnosis was Large B Cell Lymphoma, a very treatable form of cancer.  The Mayo Clinic was sent the biopsy and was concerned it was a subset of Large B Cell called Double Hit Lymphoma.  More tests were ordered.  On June 20,  the local doctors said they could not treat her, she had to go to the Mayo Clinic.  Teresa was flown by air ambulance the next morning to the Mayo Clinic in Rochestor, MN.  Her husband Bill followed by car the next day.


The Mayo people have been great.  Several tests and procedures were done over the next week.  They needed to stabilize her kidneys before Chemo could start.  Chemo started June 28th.  The doctors described this four month regimen as the  most aggressive that exists.  Her spirits are good and positive. Hopeful. 


We truly appreciate all the folks that have reached out over the last few weeks.  We can feel the positive energy.  Thank you.

Update, January 5, 2020.  We are back at Mayo in Rochester,  MN.  Teresa's cancer has returned... 


Newest Update

Celebration of Life

Journal entry by Bill Ashley —

Our family had a Celebration of Life for Teresa this last Saturday.  No doubt she would have been embarrassed by the fuss being made over her, but she also would have been the life of the party, as usual. Most of the family has been here at different times over the last year, but this was the first time in several years all our kids, Teresa's siblings and even some nieces and nephews were all together at the same time. As much as I had my doubts about getting through the day, I am glad we did it.

We are doing OK.  It's been hard at times, sad at times, but also funny and exciting at times.  Just like life, only different.  That different will never, ever change.

Thanks again to all that supported my family.  Please, live a little for today.  You never know what tomorrow will bring.

Take care.

P.S... I missed out on a group shot of my kids and their partners, it got a little crazy at times.  Kaitlin, Anthony and Rachel, love you guys.  You're part of the clan, like it or not!

Read More of the journal titled "Celebration of Life"
  • Siblings Kat, Pam and Mike.  Nephew Jason and Lucas.  Niece Allison.
    Siblings Kat, Pam and Mike. Nephew Jason and Lucas. Niece ...
  • Our kids, Nicholas, Kaitlyn and Matthew.
    Our kids, Nicholas, Kaitlyn and Matthew.
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