Ashley Monroe shared some awful and sad news on her Instagram today.
She announced that she will undergo chemotherapy treatments starting tomorrow for a rare form of blood cancer called waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
Ashley is one of my favorite artists in all of country music, and while it’s absolutely devastating news, she has a great outlook and is optimistic about the future.
She said that she’s fighting for her young son and husband and has had time to come to terms with the diagnosis. She noted that she’s surrounding by amazing friends and family who have been praying for her and supporting her already through this journey.
She told the story of how she found out and got to this point in her entire post:
“Gratitude. Moments like these I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
Getting flowers delivered weekly from @genajohnson507. Enjoying a staycation in Nashville when we had to cancel our Florida trip. Sitting with my sisters the day I found out. Seeing John be my rock and the best dad to Dalton, and being surrounded (and prayed for) by the best friends (and family and manager) I could ever dream up .
A few months ago my dr. was doing some routine lab work and found that I was anemic. I was like, FINE, I’ll just double up on cheeseburger patties , take some extra vitamins and call it a day. Well my red blood count just kept falling, and they found out my iron /b12/ folic acid numbers were actually fine. short story long, they did a bone marrow biopsy, (ouch) , and VOILA.. a rare kind of blood c word called “waldenstrom macroglobulinemia”
It’s causing my body to be pretty severely anemic, and I feel it. So, I start chemo tomorrow. Seems like such a negative thing to say. Until I flip that doom feeling on its head and think, wow, I’m thankful I have an illness that is VERY live with-able.
I’m thankful there IS a treatment that actually works to fight what is causing harm to my body. THANKFUL for friends and family who have gathered around me praying and sending flowers and letting me lean on them during this super weird chapter of my life.
Thankful for my angel son. Who I am fighting for the most. I would greatly appreciate if no one gave me any unsolicited advice or medical opinions. I’ve done my research and have amazing Vanderbilt dr’s I’ve weighed every option with.
That’s why I was hesitant to post about it, but I could use the prayers.. and I DO believe in the power of prayer guys. I also believe in the power of love healing us all on an even deeper level. I love you all big. Here I go.”
I think I speak for myself and all of us here at Whiskey Riff when I say we’re absolutely rooting for her and sending her as many prayers and good thoughts as humanly possible.
“Like A Rose”
