Creating My Bucket List: Living with Purpose Despite Cancer

Why I Started My Bucket List

I have written many times about having a bucket list. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a bucket list is “a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime.” Or, as the term implies, it is the things you want to do before you "kick the bucket." Well, I hate that phrase. It feels crass and overly casual for something that has come to mean so much to me. While I believe everyone should have a bucket list, and this statement will make my family happy, we never know when we will die. That is why I think having a bucket list benefits us all.

My diagnosis with Glioblastoma turned the idea of a bucket list from a fun conversation into something far more personal. At first, it made me uncomfortable. Was making a bucket list a way of accepting death? Was it giving in? But with time, I realized that it is the opposite. My bucket list is my declaration that I still have things I want to live for. Things I will fight for.

From Travel to Dreams: How It All Began

I started mine earlier in life—within the last ten years, as both my husband and I love to travel. Not having kids affords us more opportunities and resources to do so. We have explored coastlines, visited major cities, and taken spontaneous road trips. I used to write my goals in a notebook, scribbled between grocery lists and reminders. Eventually, I began organizing them into what has now become my official bucket list.

While the statement I made before—about everyone having a bucket list—still stands, I do feel mine has been accelerated a bit because of my diagnosis. However, I do not think that is any different from someone starting later in life, as advanced age can also push you to create a bucket list and speed up its experiences. So, I decided that every year—or at least until everything is completed, nothing too strict—I would add a few new goals. Luckily, I have already crossed some off the list, and in January, I will be adding five more.

What's on My Bucket List (So Far)

My current bucket list is not anything too crazy. It is filled with a blend of professional goals, lifelong dreams, and quirky adventures that reflect exactly who I am:

• ✔ Complete my associate's in criminal justice (Completed!)
• ✔ Attend D23 in Anaheim (Completed!)
• 📆 Take a tour of Walt Disney Studios in Burbank (Scheduled for next week!)
• 🚓 Ride along with a police officer (in the works—fingers crossed!)
• 🤞 Go to Disney World for the first time

I know the fourth one might seem a bit odd, right? But anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with shows like Cops, Code Blue, and CopCams. I love watching police in action and have a lot of respect for what they do. I have always dreamed of doing a ride-along to see them in action—and hopefully, tase someone (not me, the officer, of course, lol). Plus, I have an associate's degree in criminal justice and studied the profession. Very interesting stuff!

As for Disney World, it is crazy I have not been yet! Yes, my parents never took me as a child, but I am definitely planning to go as an adult with my husband. I want to experience the magic everyone talks about, eat all the themed snacks, ride every ride, and just be a kid again—even if just for a day.

The Emotional Impact of a Bucket List

What most people do not realize is that building a bucket list is not just about checking things off. It is about creating moments to look forward to. When you are facing a life-threatening illness like Glioblastoma, anticipation is a gift. Planning something—anything—gives you something to be excited about in a world that suddenly revolves around scans, bloodwork, and survival statistics.

Each time I complete something on my bucket list, I feel an enormous sense of accomplishment. It reminds me that I am still here, still fighting, still living. These victories, however small they may seem to others, are monumental to me. They symbolize defiance. They mean that despite this diagnosis, I still get to live on my own terms.

Why Everyone Should Make a Bucket List

You do not have to wait until something tragic happens to make a bucket list. Why not start now? Even if you are in perfect health, what are the things you dream about doing but keep putting off? Life has a funny way of reminding us that time is never guaranteed. If my story inspires you to write down five goals or book that trip you have been talking about, then this post did its job.

Your bucket list does not need to be extravagant. It can be small, personal, and totally unique to you. Maybe you want to learn to cook. Visit a family member you have not seen in years. Watch every movie your favorite actor has been in. The beauty of the bucket list is that it is yours and yours alone.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Me

I am already looking at what to add in January. I try to keep it fresh and include a mix of easy wins and big dreams. Some early contenders include:

• 🌄 Visit Yosemite National Park
• 📚 Write a short story or blog series about my life with Glioblastoma
• 🎓 Begin working on a bachelor's degree (just maybe!)
• 🍷 Take a wine tasting tour in Napa with my husband
• 🧘‍♂️ Try a silent meditation retreat

Each item I add is a commitment to myself—a reminder that I still have control over how I live. Even with cancer, I can choose joy. I can choose adventure. I can choose to dream.

Join Me on This Journey

If you want to help me cross more off my list—especially that Disney World trip—you can click here to donate. Every bit helps. And more than that, just knowing people believe in me keeps me going.

So, thank you for being part of this journey. Your messages, your support, your presence—it all matters. Let us continue living, laughing, and making memories. One bucket list dream at a time.

Tags: Bucket List, Glioblastoma, Life Goals, Travel Dreams, Cancer Journey, JohnVsGBM

Disclaimer: This blog reflects personal experience and is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before making significant lifestyle changes during treatment.