NewYou can listen to Fox News articles now!
It has been a year and a half since the 4-stage cancer diagnosis at the age of 40. I’ve shared my story Diagnosing cancer Appendix from February last year.
I am the wife and mother of a three-year-old girl who has been a journalist at Fox News for 16 years. I am also part of a shocking new adult under 50 who has been diagnosed with cancer.
I always considered myself a healthy and active person, so my cancer diagnosis was shocked by me and my family. This is a particularly shock because I received another extremely rare diagnosis just two years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter. Originally boring in the summer of 2023, continuous abdominal pain turned into a very exciting cancer battle within a few months.
Olympic medalist Gabriela Dabrowski reveals why “cancer must happen to me”
I have been on the journey since the cancer diagnosis, and I have taught me a lot about life, faith, and my own physical and emotional power. Usually, I question how I will solve this problem. But then I looked at my beautiful daughter and the answer immediately looked back at me.
Ashley believes that spending a lot of time outside will feel healthy. (Provided by Ashley Papa)
It’s been a year and a half since my diagnosis. Most of the time, I feel good physically and mentally. By October 2024, I had completed 24 rounds of chemotherapy and decided to seek a second opinion on my diagnosis and current treatment. Later on my email and phone call, I found myself Fly to Houston Meet with the team at MD Anderson Cancer Center. A new care plan was developed, including a very necessary surgery in February. I’m still recovering from it. Cancer still exists, but we have new plans to attack. Thank God, I still have a choice.
Last year, it was not just forged with hard infusion every other week, but it was also related to life lessons.
Here are some of what I have learned.
I learned that I can still live my life while fighting cancer without letting the disease define me or defeating me. Actually, I have a lot of people asking if I’m relieving. Although my case was a serious situation, all my concerns at the time of diagnosis never came up.
I was worried that I would lose my hair most of the time and get sick. This is not the case. I feel healthy except for my cancer (and the virus my daughter brought home from daycare).
Ashley and her husband recently taught their daughter how to ski so they can both enjoy the mountains. (Provided by Ashley Papa)
I was worried that I would recover for a long time in Texas after the recent surgery and be separated from my daughter for weeks. To my surprise, I was cleared and returned home in less than a week of surgery on my big belly. Of course, I attribute my quick discharge to my amazing nursing team, while also keeping a very healthy diet, staying active and spending a lot of time outside. My husband and daughter are my two guiding lights and I am grateful for a lot of prayers. I ask God for strength Every morning, please thank him for making me feel good when I wake up.
It’s not just forged with hard infusion every other week in the past year of my cancer journey, it’s also about life lessons.
I learned to appreciate the smallest things in life and all the beauty around me, “stop and smell the roses” if you will. As a family, we are still able to do almost everything we usually do and maybe even more because they know there is no reason to wait.
Ashley and her husband and daughter. (Paul Papier)
As a former competitive figure skater, I still feel comforted on the ice. Maybe it’s because nothing has taught me more than my skating years. No matter how difficult you are in the competition, you have to recover immediately because music doesn’t stop, just like life.
I pay more attention to blessings in daily life. Yes, I have cancer, it sucks, it’s scary, but being grateful helps protect me from fear and negative thinking. I think of everyone who has entered my life since the diagnosis, especially those who beat it, is the light of encouragement. There are also some people fighting with me, unfortunately those who have passed away. I am lucky and happy to have a great doctor to take care of me, although appendicular cancer is a rare cancer, but still continues to research and research treatments.
Ashley attributes her rapid recovery from the abdominal surgery to her nursing team, a healthy lifestyle, many prayers, and her husband and daughter. (Provided by Ashley Papa)
You will learn to make the most of difficult situations. Although my husband and I missed our daughter in pain while traveling to Texas, we knew she was spoiled and taken care of by her grandparents.
Click here for more Fox News comments
She now has a best friend in her elementary school and a caring teacher like this who keeps her busy and distracted. Another blessing. When my husband and I have to Go to Texas It gives us time to reconnect a couple. Now we have some of our favorite attractions in Houston and we love to go when we have free time away from dates. And, we always make sure to bring a pair of cowgirl boots or cowgirl hats to our daughter.
While I naturally worry about the future, I try to focus on living within the boundaries of today. We can’t control a lot, but it doesn’t make sense to worry about what may or will never happen. It just generates wasteful stress and anxiety. I know my cancer is a step-by-step journey, even if it feels like “rock footsteps.” I still work hard for fear. It’s not easy, but it’s important not to let my fear affect my strength.
While I naturally worry about the future, I try to focus on living within the boundaries of today. We can’t control a lot, but it doesn’t make sense to worry about what may or will never happen.
Of course, all of this is easier said than done, and requires you to realize the many emotional and physical strength you don’t realize until you face this challenge. People keep telling me “I’m strong” and “I have this” but I often feel like I’m a fraud because there are still a lot of tears and moments when I want to smash the plate. I have to oppose invasive thinking. Of course, I also want to lie in bed for a few days, so I can wake up from this nightmare.
Ashley continued to draw strength from her daughter, who she called her greatest blessing. (Provided by Ashley Papa)
Sometimes, I hope the days fly over, but I also feel that time is too fast. Sometimes I seem to be impatient. It’s hard to focus on just playing “restaurant” with my daughter without having to get cancer regularly.
Click here to get the Fox News app
I remember the first advice I received when I was diagnosed with cancer. This is what I will offer in my case anyone who has just diagnosed or is experiencing a challenging time. It comes from my brother. When I told him about my cancer, once I finished all the “why me”, he reminded me that it had nothing to do with what happened to you, but how you handle what happened. Like the famous quote, “Life is 10%, what happens to you and 90% of the reaction”.
As a lifetime inconvenience, I will continue to deal with my own diagnosis. My plan is to keep moving forward and listen to the doctor and life of life Pray, gratitude and faith. I will continue to focus on my body and soul. I will also continue to enjoy the outdoors, walk with the dogs, writing and music. And, I will continue to be my sister, daughter and friend. Most importantly, I will always be my wife and mother to my precious daughter.
