showtunessal

Bucket Lists

—

by

showtunessal
in ,


Bucket List


In my mind today, I am thinking about “Bucket Lists.” When my body began betraying me in 2011, I felt that it was only going to progress. Why? I had an aunt who started falling at the age of 38, her legs would give out underneath her without warning. She became so weak and atrophied. She never got a clear diagnosis. She died at the age of 43. When all this started with me, all I could think about was my Aunt Connie Jo. The visits to see her were so hard. We tried as much as we could to brighten her days while she withered away. No answers.

When I began to realize that I was following the same course of deterioration as my Aunt Connie Jo, I began researching for answers. I tried desperately to get her medical records, but her former primary care physician would not release them. I gathered as much as I could from my family. Her uncle and my great uncle was bound to a wheelchair early in his life. Most say that it was a stroke. My father’s mother, Sarah Belle Doss, spent her last years nonambulatory. She died before I was born at the age of 60. I had muscle wasting on my mother and father’s sides of the family. I dove into researching ALS. This seemed to be the most logical after watching Aunt Connie Jo. She had diabetes and the doctor thought maybe Multiple Sclerosis but it was ruled out. She was a Medical  mystery. I was 27 years old when she died in 1996. My atrophy began in my 30’s. 

What I discovered mainly by reading others accounts was one PALS, person with ALS, removed all the metal from her mouth, began to improve but tragically fell in her kitchen. My aunt and I both had these fillings in our teeth. They release toxins that destroy motor neurons. I had mine removed asap when the atrophy began. I was also in the best shape of my life. I had promised myself by 40 I would be in good shape and make it part of my lifestyle. I insisted on DNA testing. My ALS was not hereditary or familial. 

The world began the ice bucket challenge and I began my bucket list. I had and am so blessed that I can’t say “Why me, God, but why not me?” I began to focus on what I could still do to bring light to my little corner of the world. God has done the heavy lifting giving me in a chair ways to serve. I have been running the ALS marathon for around 12 years. You see God gave me the ability to stay ahead of the progression of my disease from doctors, family, friends, and my faith in God’s plan for me, Jeremiah 29:11. All marathons have a finish line. My pace is slowing, but God is blessing me to my finish line. I only want the words, welcome home my good and faithful servant. I know what life is about and it’s not me. I am here to serve.

My Bucket List

  1. To know and experience true agape love. I get it every day. MSH was also a fountain of it.
  2.  To help children in my city and county become lights for Christ. The Autumn March 
  3. To see my grandchildren and make beautiful memories. Done and still doing.
  4. Inspire others by being involved with Matthew 25:40 and love the least. Doing 
  5. See my children happily married and following God’s plan. Doing it!
  6. See Christ in everything and everyone. Growing the number of Christians with works of faith carrying my cross. Check.
  7. See the aurora borealis. God brought it this summer to Tennessee.
  8. See a whale. Not done yet.
  9. Knowing our children are loved. Thank you  Heather, Carlin, Andy, Maggie (Nick), and Don (Andi).I love you all so much.
  10. Publish a book but hopefully many. DONE! My first book was published YESTERDAY! November 17, 2024.
    Please consider buying my book!
https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9798868500480&HC_ISBN=

Sarah Anderson Alley 

Sal the Published Gal

Quote of the Day 

Jeremiah 29:11” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Sarah Anderson Alley
Sal the Published Gal

Quote of the Day
Jeremiah 29:11” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

My new ALS normal. My machines and me.

Thanks to my machine lifelines: My children, Andy, Teresa, Judy, and Animal aka Cindy Wallace Pruitt. You all keep me breathing!

Comments

Leave a comment