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Cystic Fibrosis and Cookbook

It's been one crazy week, but the whirlwind hasn't stopped yet. We have some answers regarding Ashley's heath but we still don't have a diagnosis. Ashley's pulmonologist and gastroenterologist are working together to come up with a game plan. Here is what we do know:

Cystic Fibrosis
1. Ashley does not have Cystic Fibrosis.
2. Ashley does have a bacterial infection in her lungs, the new antibiotic she is on will hopefully fight the infection.
3. Ashley's platelet count is 80,000 (normal is 150,000 to 450,000). This is the lowest Ashley platelets have ever been. We are hoping it's because she has an infection and not because she has some internal bleeding.
4. Ashley will have her tonsils and adenoids removed soon. We will be meeting with the Ear Nose and Throat doc sometime next week. Hopefully, we can get the surgery scheduled before the New Year.
5. Despite the low platelets Ashley's liver appears to be happy, as all of her liver enzymes are normal or near normal.
6. Ashley does not have Cystic Fibrosis. Oh I already said that but it's such great news it's worth repeating.

As you can see it's not over. Ashley will still need some more tests to determine what is wrong. It could still be something as simple as gastroesophagael reflux disease or GERD or something as complicated as pulmonary hypertension.

My prayer for the New Year is that we have a diagnosis, it's treatable and Ashley's health becomes stable again. Would you please pray with me?

Cookbooks
There have been some important changes with Ashley's cookbook. Due to the overwhelming response to the cookbook orders we have decided to have Ashley's cookbooks published by a professional company, Morris Press. Because we have decided to move the cookbook production to a professional company, the cookbooks will not be ready before Christmas. Therefore, if you have ordered a cookbook, you will not be getting your cookbook until after the first of the year.

The good news is we can accept more recipes and have a bigger better cookbook. And the process of submitting a recipe has been simplified because Love for Ashley fans will have a private log in at Morris Press that will allow them to submit their own recipe. I will provide you with the log in information in my next post.

The bad news is that by going through the professional company we now have some out of pocket expenses. The cost to get the cookbooks produced will be approximately $1000, we need to come up with half of that cost when our order is placed and then the other half is due at time of shipment. I have one person who has generously offered to pay the first half (thanks Mom) but we still need the other half. If you are willing to donate the other half or if you are willing to donate a small amount to offset the cost, please send me an email to loveashley@loveforashley.com.

I am excited about the new avenue we are pursuing with Ashley's cookbooks. The cookbooks have the potential to be our highest earning fundraiser yet. Thanks to all of you.

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