Doctors estimated Ashley Hallford had about four weeks to live after diagnosing her with cancer in her jaw, an inoperable malignant brain tumor, and innumerable tumors in her lungs. They also saw spots on her liver. After four weeks of treatment, during which some of her tumors had grown, doctors advised of two options, Ashley says. She could “stop the treatment and go home and enjoy the time with your family," or try “one last ditch effort of chemo.” 

With her infant son Harley in mind, she pushed on.

“The thought of Harley not having his mother was more than I could bear,” she says. “I thought, ‘I don't want him to read about me, and the final thing he reads about his mother is that she gave up.’”

Ashley’s fight paid off when her doctor informed her, “There’s no evidence of disease present,” after reviewing her scans. Ashley has now been in remission for more than 14 years.

“Life is hard. Nobody ever promised it would be easy and a walk in the park,” Ashley acknowledges. “(But) you can overcome it.”

In this episode:

A recap of Ashley’s diagnosis [Opening]

The results of Ashley’s new scans: “Maybe, just maybe I’m gonna come out of this” [2:41] 

Another scan shows “There’s no evidence of disease present” [4:00]

A new lease on life: “Just the fact that you take a breath is a miracle” [6:11]

Ashley gets pregnant, despite appearing to be in early menopause [7:34]

Ashley’s advice for people going through a challenging time [13:43]

More: 

For more about Ashley Hallford, visit her website, where you can also purchase a copy of her book, “Losing Control: How God Used Cancer and Infertility to Bring Me to the End of Myself.” 

To stay updated on “Hears How,” subscribe and follow @HearsHowPodcast on Instagram.