
When we think our lives are going in the direction we want, life has a way of testing us. Our footing may feel stable, but a new challenge will appear, which forces us to dig deep and find a strength we didn’t know we had. Over the past few months, I’ve experienced both. Right before Christmas, I experienced a major tooth infection that swelled into the front of my face and into my eye, the infection went into my body. The first antibiotic I was prescribed gave me a bad reaction, so I had to switch to a different medication three days later. It turns out that most dentists aren’t open between Christmas and New Year. I held out as long as I could, but I had to make the dreaded trip to the ER the day after Christmas, following the advice of my physician. Thankfully, I was able to get in for a root canal after the New Year. I took some time off to focus on healing. I was finally getting things back on track for Pokes News and working on the radio show with Eric Henderson in early January.
On the morning of January 15th, I got a call that my Mom, Julie Bugher, had lost consciousness and was being taken to the emergency room at Ivinson Memorial Hospital. It wasn’t all that unusual for me to get a call that she was being taken to the hospital, as she had been admitted to the hospital about once a month for the last year. But this time seemed different. I called the ER after 15 minutes (enough time for the ambulance to transport her), and they told me they had no information and that I should call back later. I had plans to meet my friend Jim Anest for coffee here in Casper, so I called Ivinson again while I was on my way. They said the doctor would call me back. Ten minutes later, I got a call as I got to the coffee shop that my Mom had coded, and they were doing everything they could to save her. My heart sank, and I went into shock. What do I do in a moment like that? I was thankful that I was with my friend Jim, as he was able to help me and offer advice. I had to cut our meeting short, but I got the call on my way home that my Mom had passed away.
My Mom was such a wonderful and giving person. She was a wonderful Mom and loved us so much. She was my biggest supporter with everything I did, from racing snowmobiles to starting PokesNews.com in 2023. It is a shame that Wyoming’s Medicaid situation is such that I was forced to live 2.5 hours away from where my Mom was placed pending her Medicaid application, which went on for over a year. This needs to change! I couldn’t see her whenever I wanted. I had to be her advocate when she was assaulted by another patient at the nursing home, I had to defend her when her clothes were stolen at the nursing home, and I had to advocate for her when I saw shortcomings. I will say that the nursing home staff did their best with what they had, and they showed her lots of care, and for that, I'm thankful.
Losing my Mom has been very difficult for me. She was the last pillar in my immediate family. I lost my Dad in 2003 due to cancer when I was 17; then tragedy hit in 2019 when my Brother passed away, and now this. I asked God why…why? Why was I put through so much loss and pain by the age of 39? Nobody should have to go through what I’ve been through in life. One moment, things are going great, then one phone call changes your life forever.
Resilience isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending that everything is fine. It’s about acknowledging the struggle, allowing ourselves to grieve, and then—when we’re ready—taking that first step forward. I’ve always found inspiration in those who have faced setbacks and fought their way back, particularly in Wyoming athletics.
Look at Josh Allen, for example. The former Wyoming quarterback battled doubters throughout his career, overcoming injuries and setbacks before cementing himself as one of the NFL’s great quarterbacks. Then there’s Ayden Eberhardt, who suffered a significant injury that took him out of the game he loves during his final season at UW. Rather than let adversity define him, he leaned into the recovery process, showing the same grit that embodies Wyoming football. Now, he’s playing professional football in the Canadian Football League.
The list goes on. Countless Wyoming athletes—past and present—have faced adversity, injuries, and personal hardships, yet they found a way to come back stronger. Their resilience reminds us that setbacks don’t define us; our response to them does.
For me, the past few weeks have been about healing, about finding a new normal in the absence of someone who shaped my world. But I also know that resilience means stepping back into life, and part of that is working on Pokes News and regaining my foothold. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me following the loss of my Mother.
My Mom's Obituary:
Comments