One ALS Journey

One ALS Journey examines the experience of a family as they become caregivers for their husband and father. It chronicles their pilgrimage through the emotional mountains and valleys caregivers feel as they help one whose muscles are daily losing function due to a neurological disease. Sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, its progression takes everyone on a roller coaster ride of changing moods, physical abilities, and treatment. Snapshots and shortened text enables the reader to understand and identify quickly with the content. It provides time for reflection and contemplation of the physical, emotional, and spiritual material presented. ALS requires the assistance of numerous caregivers including neurologists, general physicians, nurses, speech therapists, physical therapists, nutritionists, urologists, ALS Clinics, Hospice, and hired help. Faith, joy, and peace are revealed as Christian religious beliefs emerge. Through this trial, gratitude, joy, and hope for the future are found with the help of family, friends, and many different caregivers.

One ALS Journey describes the thoughts and feelings a family experiences over a period of three years as caregivers. It chronicles the emotional, spiritual, and physical challenges encountered as they learn to care for a husband and father. It emphasizes the necessity of many caregivers in a progressive, terminal, neurological disease. ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, as it is sometimes called, causes a progressive loss of muscle function due to neurological interruptions. The day by day declining physical abilities of the patient is a difficult task with which everyone has to cope. This often produces emotional ups and downs. Thus, fear, anger, sadness, and resignation, are often expressed as well as gratitude, laughter, hope, and even joy. Shortened text and photos provide the reader with a straightforward understanding of the complex emotional and spiritual content. It enables one to take time to contemplate and feel the resignation, grief, belief, and even the joy of the caregivers. Readers will find assurance and consolation in knowing the faith that makes it possible to go through difficult tests and come out whole on the other side. Christian faith made this pilgrimage a spiritual excursion of particular significance, one of growth, challenge, and peace. ALS requires the assistance of numerous professional caregivers including neurologists, general physicians, nurses, speech therapists, physical therapists, nutritionists, urologists, ALS Clinics, Hospice, and hired help. It must include the generous empathy and assistance of family, neighbors, and church friends. No one can cope with the demands of ALS alone, but with the consistent help of a community of caregivers it can strengthen and even bless the lives of all involved.

Cerita Marie Moore Hewett was born and raised in Nampa, Idaho, has lived on both coasts, but has spent most of her life in Texas. She often writes poems for her personal benefit and to delight friends and family. She and her husband Roger (deceased) are the parents of seven children and grandparents of twenty-two grandchildren. A graduate of Brigham Young University, Cerita worked in the field of education for a number of years, and is an enthusiastic member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Currently the author divides her time between Coppell, Texas and the Piney Woods of East Texas. She enjoys reading, music, pickle ball, and her family. Cerita says, "I write to think, to manage feelings, to discover, to reflect, to understand, to remember, and for fun!" You can find Cerita at pineywoodspoet.com