April 2012

Congratulations Ashley Young!

Recently, we reported that Pediatric GISTer, Ashley Young married her boyfriend of over three years, Mark newlyweds Vincent, on November 8, 2008. We asked Ashley for wedding pictures and how she felt about her new husband.

“I remember waking up from surgery, getting my full gastrectomy and wanting to see him. I thought he was at work but instead he was worriedly waiting with my family, for an endless amount of hours without knowing if he would be able to see me at all, if I would be in the ICU or not. He came in and of course, I was hooked up to all types of tubes and he rubbed my forehead, pushed my hair aside and I opened my eyes and he said, “You’re so beautiful. I love you so much.” And the he kissed me on my forehead. “Out of everyone close to me, he is the only one who can pat my back right when I can’t swallow so I don't throw up. He rubs my back and comforts me, helps me change bandages and gives me shots of B-12 and Zofran. I know that he could be out somewhere with his friends having fun, but he sacrifices over and over just to be able to hold my hand.

“He always helps me through whether by laughter or wiping my tears. I can’t look at his smiling face when he cracks a cheesy joke and not laugh, no matter how ridiculous the situation may be.”