Mad Batters

11/05/2022

Day 19

I was discharged yesterday and it feels so good to be back in my own space, with my man Stan, and my parents.

I was in the hospital for 18 days, all of which were on a covid lockdown. Though that was mentally tough (I did cry alot), the staff on 4 North were wonderful. My stem cell transplant overall went very well. I had a few days of nausea, and one bad day when I recieved my 1st platelet transfusion (reaction). I kept very active, cycling an hour almost every day, and weight training with light weights/band. I believe this, along with my age helped me minimize side effects and a quick climb in my counts.

Some interesting facts about Stem Cell transplants
• During the infusion, they get you to chew on ice or suck on candies to minimize the feeling of something being stuck in your throat
• After the transplant and a few days post, you smell like creamed corn or oatmeal from the preservative they mix with the stem cells.

My hair is finally falling out... everywhere which bonus!, no more shaving!!

10/18/2022

Hi everyone!

It's been awhile since I've given an update.

Yesterday evening I was admitted to HSN to start the next phase in this cancer journey. Today I will be given high dose chemotherapy and have my stem cell transplant Friday. My hospital stay will be 3-6 weeks, with strict discharge instructions for 100 days.

Im one step closer to returning to some normalcy and one step closer to getting back into the kitchen to make some cookies!!

09/20/2022

Today we celebrate!!

16 week induction therapy is complete!

Sept 28th my partner and I will make the trip to Ottawa for 6 days as I prep for the collection process.

The type of transplant I will be receiving is called Autologous where stem cells are taken from my own blood.

Since we will be there for a length of time, what must we do, see and eat while we are there?!

08/01/2022

"Cancer doesn't have to be the end of one's happiness" - anonymous

Hi everyone! It's been a hot minute so I thought I'd give you all an update.

I will be be starting my 3rd round of chemotherapy tomorrow. So far, I have been responding well!! The cancer cells within my bone marrow/circulatory system have gone from 648 to 23!

From Sept 28th to Oct 4th I will be in Ottawa for my stem cell collection, and on Oct 31st will be receiving my transplant.

THANK YOU TO everyone who has reached out to me privately and left comments on my last post. Your kindness and support is overwhelming ❤️

07/07/2022

Where have I been??

On May 18 2022 I was welcomed into a club no one wants to be apart of - incurable cancer. There are many words in the english language but the power that 6 letter word carries is life changing.

My diagnosis is multiple myeloma. It's an aggressive form of blood cancer that causes a mutation of the plasma cells within the bone marrow. MM causes a multitude of issues including kidney damage, bone degeneration, fractures, extreme fatigue, mental fogginess/confusion, mets (tumors) to the skeletal system.

Treatment started June 6th. I will undergo 4 rounds of chemotherapy in hopes the cancer cells decrease enough that I can receive a stem cell transplant. From start to finish this process will take roughly 2 years. To date this has been the most successful option to give those of us who have this cancer years of live (average 5) not months.

I have grieved and will continue to grieve alot of losses...my career as a paramedic, a business i worked so hard to establish - Mad Batters, weddings, birthdays, holidays, graduations, a child I no longer have the option to have, among many other milestone/important moments.

If cancer has taught me one positive thing, it's the amount of love and overwhelming support I have been given by family, friends, acquaintances and strangers. If I didn't have this group or these interations, I don't think I'd have the strength or courage to carry on.

Thank you all for you supporting Mad Batters since I opened it January 2019. I never thought it would grow to where it is today. I hope in the future I will be able to get back in the kitchen and bake for Sudbury again.

Much love! Ash ❤️

05/21/2022

Cookies and cream drip "cookie" cake

Cost $60

05/20/2022

Red Velvet Oreo sammies! (Oreo buttercream with fudge filling)

05/19/2022

Coconut Cream Pie Cookie Cups

05/18/2022

Marsbar Cookie "Cake"

05/18/2022

https://sudbury.communityvotes.com/2022/02/food-and-drink/bakeries

Humbled we are included in this year's list! Please take a moment to vote 😊

Official 2022 Community Voting Awards Platform for Sudbury, ON. Where the community votes for their favourites every year.

05/17/2022

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Cookies!

Featured in this past Saturdays Dessert box.

05/16/2022

Cookie Dough Rice Crispy Squares