The pathology results are in.
Ashton has what is called Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma.
Sarcomas are cancers that develop from connective tissues in the body, such as muscles, fat, membranes that line the joints, or blood vessels. There are many types of sarcomas. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer made up of cells that normally develop into skeletal muscles. The body contains 3 main types of muscles. About 7 weeks into the development of an embryo, rhabdomyoblasts (cells that will eventually form skeletal muscles) begin to form. These are the cells that can develop into the cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. Because this is a cancer of embryonal cells, it is much more common in children, although it does occur in adults occasionally.
One of the main rhabdomyosarcomas is;
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is the most common type of rhabdomyosarcoma. It usually affects infants and young children. The cells of ERMS look like the developing muscle cells of a 6- to 8-week-old fetus. ERMS tends to occur in the head and neck area, bladder, vagina, and in or around the prostate and testicles.
What’s next for Ashton?
On Thursday she will undergo some more testing i.e.: CT, Bone scan, and a bone marrow biopsy. After that is all done Thursday late afternoon she will have another surgery to place a Port-a-Cath (and venous blood access point) where they will be able to have a portal to begin Chemo with out damaging her peripheral veins. Thursday will be a long day at the hospital.
We still have one test still pending. While in surgery when the surgeon resected the tumor there was a small amount of fluid in her abdomen. They sent the fluid to the lab with the tumor for examination. The pathologist saw some cells in the fluid that he thought to be suspicious but wasn’t real sure. So they packaged the fluid and sent it to St Jude’s Research hospital for another pathologists review.
The one thing I am thankful for is that Ashton is not in any real pain. We are 5 days post-op and Ashton is acting normal. The road we have ahead will be a rocky one but we will prevail!
What can you do?
Please exercise faith on Ashton’s behalf.
Please remember her in your prayers.
Please support my wife she will need it.
21 comments:
We'll pray for her & you! Good luck, we are here for you!
Ashton has been in my prayers EVERY night. This Sunday I'll be fasting for her, and another dear friend who's 60 and just found out he has cancer.
Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers Dan.
Ashton will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers, as well as your family. You guys are strong and she is so fortunate to have parents who found it quickly. HUGS!
Ashton and you guys will continue to be in ours and our children's prayers nightly. She is a strong little girl and there is so much that can be done medically. We will help on the faith end.
We are praying for you all! We love you guys!
Your whole family will be in our prayers-stay strong!
You are in our prayers. Best wishes to your family and little girl.
My mom (Aunt Mendy) just told me about this. I was heartbroken! I will definitely keep Ashton in our prayers, and your whole family.
--Kera (your cousin)
My heart just breaks for you and Natalie. I can't imagine what you are going through and feel helpless that we can't do anything. We love you guys and will keep you and sweet Ashton in our prayers.
Never underestimate the power of prayer! We love you all and pray continually for your family.
Love,
Aunt Mendy
We just read about this on Facebook and came to your blog. We are truly so sorry. Your in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all very much. Dan and Nat hang in there. You are all so strong and an amazing family.
We are praying for Ashton and your family daily. Thanks for the update, and I will be following here. Hang in there guys! (((Mom & Dad)))
So sorry to hear that Ashton and your family are having to go through this. Your family has been in our thoughts constantly and we will continue to pray for your family. Love, Chris, Melissa, Ethan, Colin and Lauren Jablonski (Spencer's brother...I know we've only met a couple of times.) :o)
found you because i have a google word hit on rhabdo. My son was dx 1 yr ago yesterday. please let me know if you have any questions or need help in any way. my email is jenninman3@aol.com. i will send you aphone number asap if you need one. As long as you are being treated at a COG(childerns oncol. group) hospital stay there for now. Set up a caring bridge or use your blog.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/zachcartwright/journal
this is zachs info.
praying for you. Psm 29:11 and Philippians 4:6-7 and Romans 8:26-27 are also great.
let me know if you need anything! I stay up late late most night. I am also on facebook witht the above email.
Jennifer
Dan, Natalie, and Ashton-
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Like you said, it will probaby be a long, bumpy road, but it sounds like you've got lots of love for that little girl and lots of people supporting every step of the way. You can do it! And how fortunate for Ashton to be born to such great parents who love her so much to get through it together.
Thanks for posting so we can all stay updated.
Love, Jonathon and Nancy Huckvale
Dan your never fail to amaze me on how strong you are. I know this is going to be a long couple months but i know that you have the strength to get through this. We are here for you. That little girl is just like her father and i know that she is strong enough to make it through this trial. I love you and will continue to pray for Bugga boo!
thanks everyone
came over from Heather's blog...lifting your family up before the Great Physician...
You are all in our prayers. We are here for you if you need ANYTHING!
I just heard and I’m so sorry, we will fast and pray so hard for you guys and we are truly hoping and wishing that it can all be over ASAP. You guys are going to become such stronger people and parents through this trial, and Ashton will be such a happier little girl when all is done. let us know if there is anything we can do to help out!
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