Embracing My Mother’s ALS

Embracing-My-Mothers-ALS

Tessa Shull is a personal assistant to two toddlers, a wife, and a social media specialist/writer who resides in the heart of America, Kansas City. Her mother was diagnosed with ALS in 2015, and since then, it’s been important to find a way to continue making a difference, for both her and her mother, despite the disease. You can check out more of Tessa’s writing on her family and lifestyle blog, homemadeexperience.com.

I put it off as long as I could. I buried myself in friends’ lives, picked at frivolous problems and attended an excessive amount of events. I traveled for three weeks straight. I caught up on every T.V. show I’ve ever enjoyed. I cleaned and organized my entire home. And I sorted through every piece of clothing my children own, which took a full three days in and of itself.

I can’t altogether explain why I kept putting it off, but I can put my finger on a few reasons that contributed. And for those of you dealing with something heavy in your life, I’m sure you can relate.

  1. There’s a piece in every one of us that holds onto hope for some completely illogical miracle, thinking one morning we’ll wake up in a Wizard of Oz scenario where it was all a dream, or someone will call to say, “Hey, our diagnosis was wrong,” or “Don’t be mad, but we were totally kidding.”
  2. I was angry for the longest time, and what seemed worse than the anger was being fully aware that I was in a stage of grief and stuck there. I ignored it, I purposely chose not to talk about it, and when people asked me how I was dealing with it so well, I simply said I was choosing not to deal with it at all right now. During this stage, it was most difficult for me to be around my mother, because I felt as if my anger was directed towards her. It was frustrating, it was uncontrollable, and it was completely illogical.
  3. But most of all, I felt that once I typed it up and released it into the world, it was final. I was forcing myself to admit it, face it and let it out to never get back. There’s something very daunting about sharing devastating news with others–turning the key and pulling it out of the safe in our minds.

My mother was diagnosed with ALS. ALS is a disease that, as of right now, cannot be cured. It is considered 100% fatal according to The ALS Association.

My beautiful, sweet mother, who raised me, taught me so many life lessons, laughed with me, cried with me, yelled at me, bent over backwards for me, grounded me, stood up for me and never missed a defining moment in my life, may leave earlier than I’m ready for her to go. She may never get to see her innocently unaware grandchildren grow up, and she may not live into her 90s, dancing and antiquing and caring for those around her like she’d always planned to do.

In 2014, so many individuals participated in the ice bucket challenge to raise awareness. People wanted to experience, if just for a second, the “feeling” of having ALS. Friends challenged each other, they laughed, they made YouTube compilations of buckets dropped on people’s heads, they donated and moved on with their lives. It was a lot of fun and games, many laughs, and it all went to awareness and the fight against ALS.

This year, I hope we can bring just as much awareness and help those fighting against ALS, but my wish is for you to consider something a little different. Here’s why…

My mother’s dedicated many of her years to health and general health awareness–her health, the health of family and friends and the health of her patients and clients. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 30s, fought through it, survived and changed not only her life, but the lives of so many people she came into contact with. She eats organically, rarely uses or ingest chemicals, frequents farmers’ markets, takes Standard Process supplements daily, attends church and volunteers weekly, heads to the chiropractor, massage therapist, hyperbaric treatments and more, religiously. Her motto is to put effort into taking care of yourself now or pay (literally and figuratively) for it later. She’s wise, she’s persistent, and she’s the healthiest person I know–mind and body. Which is why it’s such a cruel twist of fate to have an unpreventable, invariably fatal, neurological disease bestowed upon her. It truly is the definition of unfair.

Last week, my mother closed down her office. As we cleaned and those who came to help walked out the door with the final items occupying her sanctuary, my mother and I shared a look across the room. Because I can no longer call my mom, because she cannot converse out loud with me anymore, I cherish looks. I walked across the room, bent over and hugged her as she cried, small and fragile. I knew, without a single word, that was one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do. And I am so sorry.

Afterward, as I drove alone along a familiar highway, I started crying, too. It was abrupt. It was a calm cry–I didn’t pull over on the side of the road to sob, there was no ‘ugly’ involved, I didn’t even reach for the tissues–but it was relieving. It was the first amount of solace I’ve felt, and it was simply because I’d come to the realization I wasn’t mad anymore. After months, just like that, I was no longer stuck in the stage of grief filled with irrational anger. It was also, coincidentally, April 30, the day preceding ALS Awareness Month. Because such is life.

As the feeling of solace swept over me, I realized I didn’t just want people to dump a bucket of ice water on their heads. I thought about all of the people my mother feels she’s letting down. I thought of all the people she feels like she was put on this earth to help. I thought of the voice she no longer has to share her knowledge of health and encouragement to those who need it and the strength she no longer possesses to physically help her clients and patients. I mourned over everything she’d worked for and dreamed of, all the plans she’d made and discussions we’d had about helping others. I worried her life was being taken away before she’d even really started. And then another feeling set in… determination.

As my mother struggles through the woes of ALS, I want to ask your help. I don’t want money (although donating to The ALS Association is a wonderful bonus), I’m not asking you to dump a bucket of ice water on your head, and I don’t want you to feel sorry for anyone. I want you to do one simple thing because of my mother:

Do one simple thing to help your health. Whether it be heading to a Farmers’ Market, planting a few herbs, getting a massage, going to a Yoga class, giving up soda or just driving past the fast food restaurant and making dinner at home. Do one thing. Tell others to do one thing. Share this. Take a photo or type out a few words and send them to me or hashtag #AlwaysLoveSelf, so I can pass along the difference my mother continues to make despite ALS.

I will not let ALS stop my mother from making a difference in people’s lives. In fact, I’m making it the cause. We need to raise awareness, we need to continue the fight, and I will. Always. But from now on, to me, ALS stands for Always Love Self, because that’s the everlasting legacy my mother’s created.

Help us pass it along.

 

Comments

Submitted by: JENNIFER M. on Sun, 05/02/2021

I recently started stretching more, exercising regularly, and Idabble with yoga. ALS. Always love self. My mother died 4 years ago from Bulbar ALS and I relate to every word of yours in your beautifully written piece I just read. I miss my mother every single day and tears are streaming down my face as I type.

Submitted by: Court H. on Wed, 11/30/2022

My mother has Bulbar ALS. I QUIT WORK 5 years ago to take care of her. I am a 56 year old single male and my 401K Is depleted and my Social Security contributions stopped then. I am concerned but I love my mother more than life. I pray God will honor my decision and somehow do a miracle on my behalf. I have no regrets about my decision. It is a tough road being the caregiver but worse for my sweet mother. My parents are my life.

Submitted by: Andrea T. on Tue, 10/26/2021

My mom was diagnosed in 2019. Then told it was a misdiagnosis. Then again told she has ALS. I am currently at the crying out of the blue stage. Mostly in my. Thank you for this.

Submitted by: Bleue M. on Sat, 03/26/2022

I felt like you were describing my mother, and my feelings. I just lost my mother from onset-bulbar and I’m devastated. I’m also mad at this horrid disease. I want it gone, cured, I want no one to suffer like she did. How it stole everything from her. But I also am thankful I got to take care of her all the way to the end, just like she did in my beginning. I will miss her hugs, kisses, smell, head rubs, advice, voice, scoldings, laugh, love, and most of all - HER.

Submitted by: Sierra M. on Tue, 12/13/2022

My mom was diagnosed a year ago, she was only 46. Im 24, my younger sister 21… I always just assumed she would grow old, and there would be so many more memories. I feel like what I always pictured my life being has been ripped away from me, and it’s so difficult for me to caregive for her when my angel of a stepfather needs time away. I feel anger, resentment, devastation, heartbroken. Her progression in the last year is unfathomable, she can no longer walk, talk, eat. All in the span of a year. I feel like I don’t even recognize her anymore, and sometimes I just want it to be over. Grieving someone you love while they’re still alive, grieving who they used to be and all that was taken from them so quickly, has to be the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through at my young age. No one deserves this. I feel so lost.

Submitted by: Amy L. on Wed, 12/14/2022

Sierra, so sorry you are going through this. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Submitted by: Dara N. on Tue, 02/07/2023

My mom was diagnosed last week with ALS

Submitted by: Charlene H. on Sat, 03/11/2023

My Mom was diagnosed with ALS 2 months ago..My sister says I'm in denial about her having it she is in a rehab now expected to go home when I go see her I cry in the elevator when I leave.. I would like to see her home. It has taken away her ability to speak I'm don't know what I'm feeling..thanks for allowing me to share

Submitted by: Amy L. on Mon, 03/13/2023

Charlene, so sorry. My sympathies to you and your mom. An ALS support group can give you the opportunity to talk to others who understand the disease and what you're going through: https://www.als.org/local-support/support-groups

Submitted by: Cathy C. on Fri, 09/08/2023

My mom was diagnosed today. I’m really scared.

Submitted by: Stephanie O. on Fri, 09/08/2023

Cathy, we are sorry to hear about your mom’s recent diagnosis, but we are here for you. Please continue to use The ALS Association website for resources and find a support group for caregivers and loved ones at https://www.als.org/local-support/support-groups.

Submitted by: Tonya O. on Wed, 12/06/2023

My mother was diagnosed yesterday & I am terrified.

Submitted by: Stephanie O. on Mon, 12/11/2023

Tonya, our apologies for everything you are going through. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local care team at https://www.als.org/local-care for any help you may need.

Submitted by: Andrew M. on Fri, 06/14/2024

My mother was just diagnosed and this is helping me process it. Thank you. Always Love Self.

Submitted by: Stephanie O. on Mon, 06/17/2024

We are sorry to hear about your mom, Andrew. I'm glad you are processing with the support. If you ever need a support group, go to https://www.als.org/local-care to find one in your area.

Submitted by: Pauline S. on Sat, 06/15/2024

My mom was diagnosed with ALS in feb although I try and make the best of every day I’m not sure what depression I’m in maybe denial cause I don’t think of it often I’m her sole caregiver I also take care of my dad who has dementia work a full time job and take care of my family so maybe I don’t have time to think about it which scares me because when the time comes am I gonna flip out can you please tell what are things that others are doing to maybe help me process all that life is giving me right now

Submitted by: Stephanie O. on Mon, 06/17/2024

We are so sorry for everything you have on your plate right now, Pauline. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your local care team at https://www.als.org/local-care to figure out support groups and help that can be made available to you and your family so that you can hopefully get some respite.

Submitted by: colleen C. on Fri, 07/05/2024

My mom got the diagnosis this morning at 10am. I have no idea how to feel it. I know Stephen Hawking lasted a long time but I also know Lou Gergig didnt. I have no idea.

Submitted by: Stephanie O. on Tue, 07/09/2024

We are so sorry to hear that, Colleen. Please reach out to us for caregiver support or other resources that may be helpful during this time at https://www.als.org/local-care.

Submitted by: Jessica R. on Mon, 08/12/2024

My mother was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago with ALSP. For the last 20+ years she was misdiagnosed as having the rare AI disease Myasthenia Gravis and recent new symptoms led her to dive deeper into her mother's (my grandmother's) medical records where my mom and her doctor discovered her mother had and died from ALS. My mom is 67 and when I talk to her she sounds like her normal self, so full of life and so fun and silly! It is hard to think she won't always sound like that. I moved away two years ago and now realize I will need to move back. My biggest question is how much time do we have; is there any way to know? I know they say losing a child is the worst pain but I think having to watch the woman you've looked up to your entire life suffer and wither away has to be the worst thing to go through. I don't think I've fully processed the reality of it all and I'm not sure I'll be able to cope once she's not my mom anymore. She is an angel and the strongest, most amazing and selfless person I've ever known- the last person that should have to go through this. Why does it have to happen this way?

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