Country music star Ashley Monroe has made a heart-breaking announcement via Instagram. According to Monroe, routine lab work led to a serious diagnosis.
In an Instagram post on July 13, Ashley Monroe shared that she had been diagnosed with a rare type of blood cancer. She also noted that she would begin chemotherapy on July 14.
Monroe, who is both a solo artist and a member of the Pistol Annies, appeared to have a positive mindset despite the diagnosis, telling her fans that it has been “a few months” since she found out.
At first, her doctor did some routine lab work and found that she was anemic.
“I was like, FINE, I’ll just double up on cheeseburger patties, take some extra vitamins and call it a day,” Monroe said.
But she soon discovered that her red blood cell count had continued to fall, but all other numbers looked “fine.”
A bone marrow biopsy discovered the culprit: Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), also known as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma.
As reported by the American Cancer Society:
“WM is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The cancer cells make large amounts of an abnormal protein… The buildup of this M protein in the body can lead to many of the symptoms of WM, including excess bleeding, problems with vision, and nervous system problems. The WM cells grow mainly in the bone marrow, where they can crowd out the normal cells that make the different types of blood cells. This can lead to low levels of red blood cells (called anemia), which can make people feel tired and weak.”
Only 1,000-1,500 people are diagnosed with WM each year, and even though it is more common in men than in women, and the average age of diagnosis is 70, Monroe was diagnosed at just 34 years old.
Despite the diagnosis, Monroe is staying positive, writing on Instagram:
“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.”
The country music star also expressed gratitude for her doctors at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, who she says she has “weighed every option with.”
“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,” she added.
Monroe, who is the mother of one son, three year old Dalton William Danks, is married to former professional baseball player John Danks. According to the country music star, her husband has been “my rock and the best dad to Dalton” while she copes with her diagnosis.
