My name is Ashley Mathis and I am a single mom of 4 girls 18,16,13 & 8 years old. I had a birthmark that all the sudden changed. In mid January of 2024 I was having my 1st surgery. By June, 2 different immunotherapies had failed and I was having my 2nd surgery.
We didn’t realize for another 6 weeks I had an allergic reaction to the 2nd therapy. Severe nerve damage, that at 1st was misdiagnosed as bels palsy. Again I had to be hospitalized to get steroids through IV, as the damage was so extreme.
I am still with nerve damage but can walk again, and am so thankful! I had surgery again to remove two tumors. The cancer has also spread through my blood and into my lungs. I am still hopeful as I was just approved at OHSU to be a part of the newest program, T.I.L (Tumor Infiltrating Therapy). Next, I’ll go in for a chemo blast and the new therapy. I am so hopeful, 1/3 people have complete remission after 5 years!
Fast forward, it’s April of 2025 and I’m Ashley Davis! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful supportive partner. We eloped before my TIL Therapy so I’d have hair for the wedding photos, but most importantly my kids absolutely love him, almost as much as I do!
A lot has changed since December of 2024. My procedure was delayed 3 times and during that short time the tumors in my groin and lungs significantly increased in mass and quantity. From one tumor to more than 8 in each area, quadrupling in size and then spreading to my head, liver and brain. Because of delay with insurance I was almost disqualified for the TIL treatment, as brain cancer is not responsive and will skew the numbers of success. Fortunately, my cloned cells had already been produced and my doctor at OHSU gave me the go ahead!
Today am I so proud to announce my head and liver are completely cancer free!!! Both my lungs and groin have had the most significant shrinkage with up to 75% decrease in the largest tumors! The entire precarious area in my brain is gone and the actual cancer is shrinking! I am so blessed to be here today!!
The most amazing part, the doctors told me there would be no response to
this therapy for at least 45 days. Well I could literally see my cancer start to shrink while I was in the hospital within a week! The doctors didn’t even believe it and swore I had a secondary infection, even though my dermatologist had concluded the lump was cancer.
Despite still having neuropathy, I don’t have to use a cane anymore and I am completely off narcotic pain medication. I have even began to exercise and hike again, truly feeling as though I have a new lease on life! Things were looking so bleak but now I have more hope than ever, and can still be there for my children!
Currently, about 65 days since my treatment and I still have cancer as far as I know. My next scans will be at the end of May but maybe I’ll be cancer free by then?! I am so thankful for my allergic reaction and neuropathy, because without it I would not have qualified for this revolutionary treatment. Special thanks goes out to all my prayer warriors and people sending out positive thoughts and vibes, the Lord has truly blessed me!
Things have still been challenging as my employer laid me off after running out of FMLA and there has been an issue with unemployment, but so far everything we need has come to us one way or another. I feel ever so blessed to be a part of Kickin Cancer. I only became aware of them as my mom was talking to the grocery store clerk and Ashlie, their media director approached her. In addition to the support the community offers, the education on clean eating has truly changed my life.
Thank you so much!!