Ashland Native Ali Wilcox Tackles Kidney Disease with Positivity, Perseverance, & Purpose
Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
Imagine spending your life chronically ill from grade school into adulthood, going to doctor after doctor not knowing what is wrong and trying to find answers. You find out in your early twenties that you now only have one functioning kidney. Could you remain positive and hopeful? How would you live your life?
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recognizes March as National Kidney Month. According to the NIDDK, kidney disease is often referred to as a “silent disease,” because there are usually no symptoms during its early stages. As many as 90% of Americans who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) don’t know they have the disease until it is very advanced. Ashland native Ali Wilcox has experienced an ongoing battle with kidney disease.
You may recognize the name Ali Wilcox from her Ashland history or her successes as an educator and basketball coach. Wilcox is a 2009 graduate from Paul Blazer High School and the daughter of Jeff and Kristy Wilcox. She taught at Wurtland Elementary School in Greenup County from 2015-2022 and currently teaches third grade at Oakview Elementary in Ashland. During the 2022-23 school year, Wilcox coached 8th grade basketball at Ashland Middle School and was junior varsity and varsity assistant girls basketball coach at Ashland Blazer High School. Ali doesn’t let her illness slow her down; her resilience and positivity in her everyday life shine through.
Wilcox described her illness, “I began having kidney stone issues when I was in elementary school, but it was misdiagnosed until I was a freshman in college. At that time, I was blessed to be introduced to Dr. William Boykin, who has guided my care since that time. I have a metabolic disease, which causes my body to produce an exorbitant amount of kidney stones. Even with the correct medicine that Dr. Boykin prescribes, my body will still produce them. Because of that, I’ve had numerous kidney stone surgeries to remove multiple stones at a time, but for the most part, I just pass the stones on my own when I’m able. My major surgery, which was a left nephrectomy, occurred on November 11, 2014. My left kidney was damaged (non-functional) due to the number of stones and scar tissue, so it had to be removed. There were some severe complications during surgery, and Dr. Boykin saved my life that day and was so careful to make my 12-inch scar as minimal as possible.”
Ali fought every step of the way but did struggle at times. “Probably my lowest moment during this journey (besides my long recovery with my nephrectomy) was in December of my sophomore year of college. I underwent another kidney stone surgery, from which I did not recover quickly. When the semester resumed in January, I was physically unable to return to UK. I had to stay at home here in Ashland in order to recuperate and get well. That put me behind an entire semester of college and meant I had to miss UK Basketball! That was a really hard time for me. But, my parents didn’t let me sit at home and feel sorry for myself. After I recuperated and was feeling better after a couple of months, I got a job and spent the semester working here in Ashland. I happily returned to UK when summer school started that May and resumed my college career, definitely feeling much better,” stated Wilcox.
Throughout her journey, Ali had a strong support system. Her parents, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all rallied around Ali in total support from day one. She also has the most devoted friends who have been there for her throughout. “Their love and support during all of my trying times have been indescribable and something that I am forever grateful for,” commented Wilcox.
The family unit played a key role in Ali’s recovery and continues throughout her life. One of the most touching pictures taken was of Ali with her brother Robby after Ali came out of surgery. Robby bent down to Ali, and they both gave a thumbs up. He wanted to assure her everything was going to be alright. The siblings have a close relationship, and it shows as they stick together through thick and thin. “My brother continues to this day to be one of the people who is always right by my side during everything. Robby and my parents are always making sure that I am taking the best possible care of myself.”
Ali’s mother, Kristy Wilcox, shared how difficult it was to witness her daughter being sick, yet their faith saw them through.
Kristy remarked, “Every parent who has had a sick child, especially one with a serious chronic illness, knows how scary it is. It was difficult as parents to see her in so much pain without having a diagnosis. There was a lot of uncertainty with her diagnosis, and we knew she had a tough road ahead of her, but we also knew that she was in the best hands possible. So, the fear was real from a parental standpoint, and still is every day, but having the right doctor on board is comforting.
Her journey requires a lot of faith from all of us. We have to have faith in Dr. Boykin, and we do. We know that she is receiving the absolute best care here in our little community---better than she would receive anywhere, and we’ve even been told that from doctors at larger hospitals in much larger cities. We have to have faith in God, and this comes from prayer, a strong faith foundation, and a supportive church family. We also have to have faith in Ali that she does the things necessary to keep herself as healthy as possible, and this is something that she (thankfully) has always done on her own. It’s tough as parents sometimes to not micromanage her healthcare, but she’s an adult, and she is so devoted to keeping herself as healthy as possible that it isn’t something we have had to do.”
Ali had to make changes in her life due to having one kidney; she has to make conscious choices daily and continue to monitor her health. Ali explained, “People live normal lives with one kidney every day. The issue is whether or not the one remaining kidney is healthy. At first, my right kidney was not very healthy. But Dr. Boykin monitors me often, scans me when necessary, and ensures that the same issue is not happening with my remaining kidney. So far, my bloodwork and other kidney tests seem to be improving. The one thing I must be careful of is pain with a kidney stone. I know from familiarity how large they are. When a person has two kidneys, if a stone gets lodged, the other kidney takes over. When a person only has one kidney, if a stone gets lodged, it’s life-threatening. I must be more diligent about contacting Dr. Boykin and getting to KDMC immediately should I feel a stone becoming lodged. That’s the biggest difference for me with having one kidney. I eat healthy, exercise, watch my sodium intake, drink a lot of water, and do those things on a daily basis as well.”
Ali’s daily journey is an inspiration to everyone she meets as she approaches every aspect of life with positivity and a sincere heart. Kristy Wilcox praised Ali by saying: “Ali defines positivity. She always has a smile on her face, and she sees the good in every person and in every situation. She passes kidney stones like it’s nothing; she endures pain almost daily; yet, most people would never know her situation unless you know her story. She sees each day as an opportunity to make an impact on someone, and I would venture to say that rarely a day passes where she doesn’t positively influence somebody. I am proud of her in every way: her faith, her attitude, her lifestyle, her success and passion as a teacher and as a coach, her devotion to her family and friends, her positive influence, and her love of life----I could go on and on. She’s a true inspiration.” Her father, Jeff Wilcox stated, “I’m proud of Ali’s resilience, self-confidence, and success in several aspects of her life. But, most of all, I am proud of her unwavering perseverance and positive attitude while tackling obstacles, big and small in her life.”
Ali agrees that positivity is key, “I’ve stayed positive throughout my journey and always will. Why not? I’ve received the best care from the best doctors possible. In addition to Dr. Boykin, my primary care physician Dr. Whitney Hunter takes great care of me and is always available for anything I need. I’ve received unconditional support from my family and friends. I’m still here today to tell my story, and I’m going to do it with a smile.”
We never know what battles others are facing in their lives. Ali Wilcox teaches us to stay positive and persevere through life’s storms. This March as we celebrate National Kidney month, find ways you can make a difference. Learn more about kidney disease. Also, take an extra step and consider organ donation or participate in fundraisers and events for the American Kidney Foundation.
