Ashley’s fund

Our sweet friend Ashley was originally diagnosed in December 2023 with Stage 2 cervical cancer. She did all the steps. Ashley did chemotherapy and radiation over the course of 7 weeks followed up with a total hysterectomy. During this time Ashley completed her degree in social work but unn-fortunately she lost her job very early on because of her cancer diagnosis and the impacts it would have. 

In October Ashley went for her post surgery follow up and despite hoping for the best this is not the case. Being told she isn’t cancer free, with a recurrence in her bladder and colon, is so hard and so soon. Ashley will be undergoing extensive surgery to remove both her bladder and colon, leaving her with two ostomy bags and a drastic lifestyle change.

Despite the promise of the most beautifully bedazzled ostomy bags money can’t buy,( yes we bought a bedazzled, yes you can borrow it, yes it’s everything my 12 year old self thought it would be!!) Despite that, financially cancer is draining. The appointments, the driving, to and from Kingston, Toronto, the gas, the meals, the snacks, the childcare, the drivers, the children. It’s a lot to be sick.  

We asked Ashley what sort of lifestyle changes she’s looking at and what might make things a little smoother for her. She’ll always carry a change of clothes, a dry bag to keep cleaning supplies clean and dry at all times. A soft sided cooler, nothing too heavy, maybe a backpack cooler for medicines that need to be kept cold and to keep food prices down. 

Some clothing changes to accommodate her new bedazzled accessories. Gifts for her kids. And we’ve added in gifts for Ashley!!! Because she deserves some love, oh my gosh. What a kind heart this woman has, she just deserves the world. Being ill is the worst, and I can’t imagine facing cancer just as you think you’ve beaten it.

If you’re not sure what to get, a gift card works well too. Ashley loves to shop @ The Emporium and as she figures out what works for her we’re going to work with her to find the absolute cutest clothes that are comfortable and work for her and all the other Ostomy kids out there, like Adel. Who knew?! Until then she can also buy kitchen soap, bathbombs and games to play with her kids, mittens, regular staples, puzzles to do during recovery. Check out our list, simply select pick up at the checkout and we’ll gift wrap all the presents and make sure they are beautiful under the tree.  If you’d like her to have it now, simply leave a little note, gift now. 

xoxo Kate

Ashley’s fund