In March 2022 the Ashley’s world was turned upside down when the rock of the family; Ste, was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Treatment started very swiftly; after an endoscope and a CT scan his first 8 weeks of chemotherapy begun. Shortly after this, he went through major surgery which meant the tumour and two thirds of his stomach were removed. He then spent a week in ICU and began a liquid diet and went from strength to strength each day. 6 weeks after this, he suffered a burst in his duodenum due to a complication of the surgery which meant he became septic and required life saving surgery whislt in critical condition. Due to the chemotherapy, he had no white blood cells to fight the infection. 10 weeks later (December 2022) he is finally on the mend thanks to the Royal Stoke Hospital and most importantly,  the Macmillan team who have provided the family with so much support during the past year.