A Stroke Neurologist’s 150-Mile Ride to Celebrate Three Years Beyond AML

For 15 years, Joseph Ashburn, M.D., has treated patients who have had a stroke from four states as a vascular neurologist in Paducah, Kentucky. An avid cyclist, he even started a charity bike ride to benefit stroke survivors.

Three years ago, he became the patient. After developing unexplained leg pain during a cycling event with his daughter, Ashburn was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. He was airlifted to Nashville, where he spent weeks isolated in the hospital and battled sepsis.

He enrolled in a frontline clinical trial at Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) at TriStar Centennial Medical Center. More than two years later, he has no evidence of disease. It’s the third time he has beaten cancer.

To mark the milestone, Ashburn rode about 150 miles from Paducah to Nashville in October. The ride ended at SCRI with his three-year follow-up appointment with Stephen Strickland, M.D., director of leukemia research at SCRI.

Crossing the Finish Line

“Probably the top thing on my mind was that I can’t believe that moment had finally arrived,” Ashburn said. “I can’t tell you how many times I had dreamed of that three-year mark and what it would mean for my future.”

His entire treatment team was waiting when he arrived.

“I can’t imagine a better moment,” he said.

Seeing Medicine From the Other Side

Ashburn said being diagnosed with AML changed how he practices medicine.

“It changed me. That’s the easiest way to explain it. I will never be the same doctor again,” he said. “I now know what it’s like when the doctor walks out of the room and you are left with just your thoughts and all this information to process.”

Today, he takes extra time with patients to make sure all their questions are answered.

“I hope I make a fraction of the difference in my patients’ lives that Dr. Strickland made in mine,” he said.

Faith, Family and a Sense of Control

During the hardest stretch of treatment, Ashburn wasn’t sure he would make it home.

“My faith. My wife. My wonderful family. None of those ever left my side. They had hope in times that I didn’t,” he said.

He also kept riding. He trained on an exercise bike in his hospital room and completed a 100-mile charity ride while still receiving chemotherapy. He credits his parents for his determination, and said cycling gave him something treatment took away.

“It is so overwhelming to not be in control of anything in your life,” Ashburn said. “Getting on that trainer was the one thing I could control. I could control when, how often, how hard. That made such a difference.”

A Message for Newly Diagnosed Patients

Ashburn is back to practicing medicine and coaches a youth mountain biking team with his daughter. He said he made the ride to show newly diagnosed patients that there is hope beyond diagnosis.

He acknowledged that cancer and its treatment can take a person’s hair, energy, time and freedom, but said those things can come back.

“But don’t let the cancer or the treatment take your hope, your determination, your endurance and your heart,” he said. “Don’t give cancer an inch. Don’t give chemo an inch. When it tries to hit you, hit back harder, fight and know there’s always hope for a win!”