Lauren “Ashtyn” is a very happy go lucky girl. She’s now a senior in college at OU and is determined to not let Cancer hold her back one bit. She is spunky and very driven, and she has a heart for others.
Ashtyn had a golf ball sized knot in her collar bone area that we’d been told several times was just an inflamed lymph node from allergies/sinus issues. Ashtyn became unable to raise her arm and started having pain in her arm/shoulder/neck area, so we went into the doctor again. Ashtyn was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at age 15 in September of 2012. This was at the beginning of her sophomore year in high school.
Ashtyn has fatigue and stamina issues, and sometime focus issues. Due to the high levels of steroids she was on during treatment, Ashtyn struggles with weight issues. She also had a bone infarct in one of her knees due to the chemotherapy which causes her knee to dislocate at random times, causing her to fall. She struggles to just be a normal college student and doesn’t want to be known as “the cancer girl”.
Ashtyn went through chemotherapy, several surgeries, as well as many hospitalizations due to treatment. Our family faces the daily struggle of the fear of reoccurrence as well as the fear of losing Ashtyn. With Ashtyn being a teen when she was diagnosed, she struggles daily with survivor’s guilt, guilt of surviving while so many others haven’t. She also struggles with self image issues as her body just isn’t the same as others at her age. Ashtyn’s brother also struggles with his place throughout the ordeal and the fear of losing his sister who has always been his best friend.
Ashtyn has founded “The A.S.H. Project” which takes teens and young adults into medical facilities dressed as princesses and super heroes in an effort to bring hope and peace to the children and families going thru dark times. This was a dream of Ashtyn’s while she was going thru chemotherapy, and she’s worked very hard to make her dream become a reality.
Ashtyn’s diagnosis has definitely changed our lives. We’ve learned to value each other and not place our hopes, dreams, and efforts in material things. We’ve definitely learned what matters most and how to make the absolute most out of every single moment.
Hope session by Amber Talbert Photography | Facebook | Instagram