I am Tammy Marler

Story of my diagnosis: In August 2019, I had major leg cramping, twitching and the inability to flex my left foot. … October 18th, 2019 — the doctor sadly told me he thinks I have ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. MY EMOTIONS WERE HIGH. I couldn’t believe I had this disease. An additional MRI was scheduled on November 1st for my upper spine to ensure I didn’t have pinched nerves. The doctor scheduled a PFT (breathing test) for November 4th, 2019, which turned out to be normal at this time.

[A doctor] wanted me to have a second opinion on this diagnosis, so he referred me to the Mayo Clinic. … After all the pokes and blood work, [a doctor] confirmed my diagnosis of ALS.

I’m a 45-year-old battling this horrible, incurable disease. I have two amazing daughters — 18 and 23. I was married in April 2018, and I’ve added two more amazing children and a soon to be daughter-in-law to my family. I have a mom who has always been there for me through the good and the bad. I have a brother and sister-in-law who gave me two beautiful nieces. I lost my father 20 years ago due to a stroke; however, marriage has given me a wonderful set of parents that I love. I have “sisters” because of marriage. I have an amazing work family and amazing previous work families. I have friends that go above and beyond for me. I have more blessings in life than I can share and wish I didn’t have to leave this life so soon.