Day 12: Donna Hampton

Today we ran from Syracuse, KS to Colby, KS.
When we left this morning we were still in Mountain Time but within 20 miles had switched to Central Time. We still left our host around 530. So basically an hour late. I was worried about how that would effect the heat we were running in. Kansas is very, very hot!! I had a heat index chart to follow the danger/caution we were in.

Today I ran with one of our Run Directors, Nicole. She's the biggest runner on our team. She's been a runner for 8 years! So, you could say I was a bit nervous; but I felt like I was ready. Nicole and I did well together. She pushed me and I liked the challenge. The last couple miles were killer! Due to the heat, and probably some dehydration, I started feeling a little dizzy on mile 10. I got some water and slowed down a bit but finished that leg. Our last two miles were so hot that I started wondering why were we still running! When I saw the rock that marked our 14th mile, I was the happiest I've been during running this entire trip.
Tonight we are staying at Colby UMC. We didn't have lunch donated today so we got to split up and do our own thing. A few girls and I went to a local steakhouse and asked if they would be willing to donate 5 meals for us. It was so amazing to sit and eat at a restaurant. I had a difficult time choosing what to order!

Today was dedicated to Donna Hampton. I met Donna at the community dinner last night in Syracuse. She had ovarian cancer and her story amazed many of us.

Donna was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 38 - this form of cancer is rare among women younger than 40. The tumor that twisted inside of her wrapped around many of her vital organs. The doctor that told her and 3 after that said there was nothing they could do for her. Donna had four children at home (ages 6, 13, 14 and 16). She and her husband refused to just give in to the disease. Donna kept going from doctor to doctor until she met with the best. He referred her to the "real best" - the man he had learned from - Dr. David Barkley. She went to the Little Rock Arkansas Cancer Center to see if he could help her. Dr. Barkley said he wouldn't do anything until Donna had undergone 6 weeks of daily radiation and chemotherapy implants.
The first two weeks of Donna's therapy were hell. Donna stayed in a hotel room while her mom watched over the kids. She said that she didn't want her children to see her at such a low point in her struggle to win the fight against cancer. Donna said she was taking double doses of pain medications and that she couldn't eat anything. She would be starving and when the plate of food was set in front of her she would get deathly ill. Donna said she started begging God to take her life. She told me that her husband said she couldn't do that for the sake of her children. So Donna put herself in the corner of her hotel room and prayed for two hours. She told God she knew he wouldn't put her through anything more than he knew she could handle. She told him that she had done all she could do and the rest was in his hands. After the two hours had elapsed, Donna got up out of the corner. She said everything was different from then on. She trusted that if she died or if she lived she had won because she would be here with her children or in Heaven with God.
After the next 4 weeks, Donna had completed her 6 weeks of radiation and had gotten one of the two implants. She refused the second. She went in for her appointment and was delighted to hear her tumor had shrank. Not only had it become less invasive, but it was completely contained inside her uterus. Donna had a complete hysterectomy. Her full faith in God, the many, many prayers of her family and friends, and God's love had healed Donna. Her daughter, Ladonna, said "My mother is a miracle... no one can tell me that the lord does not exist."

To Donna- you've made me realize yet another part of the fight against cancer. That's faith. You are so strong and inspiring. I know as I run I talk to God and ask him to let me keep going. I ask him for strength and the right mind to push myself harder and harder. I didn't think about how much He and the faith of warriors and their friends/families plays a role in a fight against the disease. You keep being strong! I'll be running and praying for you. 

Total miles: 125