Ashley, a 35-year-old ICU nurse from Michigan, shares her intense journey with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare and aggressive cancer.

In February 2023, she discovered she was pregnant with her third child. Although her pregnancy initially seemed normal, at 9 weeks she began experiencing concerning symptoms, including swollen ankles. Subsequent medical testing revealed a copy number variation, a rare condition linked to the possibility of blood cancer or tumors. An MRI later uncovered a football-sized tumor on her adrenal gland.

Ashley underwent surgery on May 31, 2023, to remove the tumor. The procedure was complicated, and she lost a significant amount of blood. Tragically, the day after surgery, her unborn son, Noah, passed away. Ashley was devastated but remains very grateful for Noah’s role in prompting the medical procedures that revealed her cancer.

Ashley had to undergo more surgeries, including open-heart surgery, after part of the tumor blocked her pulmonary artery. A few days after these surgeries, her doctors diagnosed her with stage 3 adrenocortical carcinoma. Though they initially declared her cancer-free after surgery, a follow-up scan in July 2023 showed that the cancer had spread to her liver, advancing to stage 4. Determined to seek the best care, Ashley connected with a specialist, Dr. Gary Hammer, at the University of Michigan Hospital.

Ashley’s treatment journey involved multiple rounds of chemotherapy and a switch to immunotherapy when her tumors showed minimal response to initial chemotherapy. She also underwent liver surgery and radiation, but in July 2024, scans showed that the cancer had spread to her lungs. Ashley’s doctors proposed a new chemotherapy regimen, but insurance challenges prevented her from accessing it. After unsuccessful multiple appeals, she had to return to her original chemotherapy plan with modifications.

Despite the physical and emotional toll, Ashley maintains a positive outlook, staying active with her family and involving herself in holistic treatments to complement her cancer care. She has also become an advocate, raising awareness of ACC and the difficulties of dealing with insurance companies. Through it all, Ashley remains determined to fight her cancer, focusing on her family as her primary motivation. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, never giving up, and continuing to pursue every possible treatment.