How Cancer Changed Everything Again…

Mar 18, 2025

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Hello Friends,

I know you’re used to seeing delicious recipes from me, but today, I want to share something personal. Many of you have been with me for years and remember my husband’s battle with cancer and his passing—while, at the same time, our baby Miles was on dialysis, waiting for a liver and kidney transplant. It was an incredibly difficult season, and now, we’re facing another one.

Recently, my son was diagnosed with cancer. Yes, the same boy who made it through dialysis and a liver and kidney transplant as a baby. He is now 10 and was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma – PTLD, a rare post-transplant complication.

As his mom, I wish he didn’t have to go through one.more.thing. The past few weeks have felt like a nightmare—especially because this came out of nowhere. Just a week before this diagnosis, we had been in San Diego, playing at the beach, hiking cliffs, and eating our fair share of chips and salsa.

At first, doctors thought he had a ruptured spleen. But a couple of days later, we learned it wasn’t a ruptured spleen. It was cancer.

One particularly difficult day, after spending nearly the entire night pacing the hospital room with Miles as he endured intense pain, we were told that his transplanted kidney—once doing so well—was now struggling due to a condition called tumor lysis syndrome. He would need to start dialysis again. That news hit hard, bringing back memories of the two and a half years he spent on dialysis as a baby.

Miles spent two weeks in the hospital split between the PICU and the oncology floor, undergoing round-the-clock dialysis for five days and beginning chemotherapy. Now, we’re grateful to be home, especially knowing his transplanted kidney is doing much better and dialysis is no longer needed.

What comes next…

For now, we are making weekly trips to the hospital for outpatient chemo. He will have another pet scan in a few weeks to see how his body is responding to treatment, and then we’ll learn what his treatment will look like going forward.

In general, he is feeling good, and relieved to have the dialysis catheter out of his neck. He’s especially happy to be home because the hospital was one hard thing after another. Chemo side effects haven’t been too bad, although his poor little arms are bruised all over from so many IV’s.

As for me, I’m still trying to wrap my head around this new diagnosis and can’t quite believe it’s happening. It’s been incredibly hard to watch my son worry that he might die from cancer, just like his dad did. And if I’m being honest, it’s been a struggle not to let the trauma from my late husband’s cancer journey affect how I handle this situation with my son.

Thank you for your love and support!

I’m sharing this not only because so many of you have followed our journey, but also because your support means the world to us. One of the best ways you can help right now is simply by browsing recipes here or sharing them with friends and family.

Every visit makes a difference, and I’m beyond grateful for this community.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for caring. And thank you for lifting us up in whatever way you can. ❤️

With gratitude,
Ashley

try my favorite recipes…

Every visit to my site, every recipe shared, and every meal enjoyed helps grow this community, which means the world to me! It’s a simple but meaningful way to contribute, and I’m so grateful for every person who takes the time to cook, share, and spread the love through food. Your support in this way truly makes a difference.

Here are some of my favorites lately:

1. Corned Beef and Cabbage

I realize St. Patrick’s Day was yesterday, but if you haven’t gotten your fill of corned beef and cabbage yet, try my version made in the oven. It’s so tender and delicious!