In July 2021, country artist Ashley Monroe let her fans know she had been diagnosed with a blood cancer called Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia. Monroe described the cancer as “rare” but “VERY live with-able.”
Monroe started chemo treatments the day after she shared this news.
“…I could use the prayers.. and I DO believe in the power of prayer guys,” she said. “I also believe in the power of love healing us all on an even deeper level. I love you all big. Here I go.”
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Speaking with Rolling Stone in September, Monroe said her cancer “will never go away” and doctors have told her it’s “for life.”
Monroe continued to keep her fans updated on her cancer battle over the course of the next several months. The last time she posted an update was in December, when she had some exciting news to share.
The update contained a video that shows Monroe “ringing the bell” to celebrate the end of her chemo treatments. Monroe said:
“Ring a ling a ling a ding dong ding…My last chemo is done! Merry Christmas everyone. Thank you for praying for me. I felt them more than you know. I’ve never been more thankful. Ready to Come back like never before in 2022!”
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Also in December, Monroe and her Pistol Annies bandmates Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley partnered with St. Jude to purchase $5,000 worth of Christmas gifts for child cancer patients.
As a cancer survivor herself, this cause is surely close to Monroe’s heart.
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After three months, we finally got a new update from Monroe on her cancer battle. Once again, she had some hopeful news to share!
“Ok, good news alert,” Monroe wrote. “I had my PET scans and labs on February 24. My 6th chemo sessions were December 14 and 15, so these tests were the ‘let’s see if that worked’ kind. Well IT DID!”
Monroe said her “blood work looked amazing and normal.” Her scans also looked great.
She repeated the fact that her cancer “is incurable” but she says she’s “just gonna believe it IS curable, and it’s gone forever.”
“That was truly one of the most difficult seasons of my life,” Monroe said. “I didn’t know it was possible to feel so sick and defeated. BUT, I believe it was meant to be and I know it has made me a better person .“
Monroe ended her message by thanking her fans for keeping her in their prayers. She said she is now “ready to make and share more music,” promising she has “a lot to say.”
You can read Monroe’s full update below. She also shared some adorable photos of her relaxing on the beach with her son, Dalton.