# He Thought it Was a Headache - Now My Husband is Dead

An episode of [The Rollercoaster Podcast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1665728532), 13 Oct 2026, 1 h 00 min.

Audio: https://anchor.fm/s/10827c910/podcast/play/127323267/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-9-12%2F433965523-44100-2-08f8bcd1f0541.mp3

What happens when the person you've loved almost your entire life is suddenly taken from you? My guest today is Ashley Leatham, who lost her husband, Scott, a 39-year-old firefighter, to a rare and aggressive cancer called NUT carcinoma. What started as persistent headaches turned into a devastating diagnosis, and just five months later, Ashley was holding her husband's hand as he took his final breath. They had known each other since they were 12. They built a beautiful life, raised two children, and imagined growing old together. Then everything changed. Ashley opens up about the unimaginable pain of watching her husband fight for his life, the heartbreak of telling their children he was dying, and the final moments she'll never forget. In this episode: • The warning signs before Scott's devastating cancer diagnosis • How five months changed their family's lives forever • The heartbreaking final days before Scott passed away • Navigating grief, widowhood, and raising children after loss • Finding purpose, faith, and hope when life feels unbearable This conversation is a powerful reminder that tomorrow is never promised, the people we love are everything, and even in our darkest moments, there can still be a reason to keep going. Key Moments: 00:00 The heartbreaking final moments of Scott's cancer battle 03:01 A childhood friendship that became a lifelong love 07:50 The headaches that revealed a deadly cancer diagnosis 12:44 The hospital visit that changed everything 16:14 The rare cancer diagnosis and desperate fight to survive 20:11 When chemotherapy led to a terrifying emergency 23:05 Seven organs failing and the fight to stay alive 27:28 The devastating cancer prognosis that shattered their hope 30:18 How facing death changes what matters most 35:16 The powerful life lesson Scott left behind 38:55 The suspected cancer risks inside the fire station 43:23 The heartbreaking news that Scott had weeks to live 46:16 The final family memories before saying goodbye 49:09 Holding her husband's hand as he took his last breath 52:35 The painful reality of grief after losing a spouse 56:06 Finding purpose and hope after unimaginable loss Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler.hall/ Connect with Nick & Cassie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsnyash/

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