How this works....

Thank you for coming to this site. On here you will find pictures and stories of all the people I am running for this year. The race is March 4, 2012 in New Orleans, LA and all my efforts are in the honor of the following individuals. Some of their stories are long and some are pretty short. They are all as equally important as each (except one) was written by the family and I believe this outlet is important to let them heal and share their story. Please take a moment to click through the pages (hit older posts at bottom of page) and the end you will find the story of the person who got me started in this, my husband, my best friend, the man of my dreams who was also a cancer patient.
Remember that your donations go directly to the American Cancer Society and help people like these to celebrate more birthdays.

~~Julie Bonner

Julie Lee

Julie and her family were on vacation in New Waverly, Texas. Julie had not been feeling well for about 2 weeks, she had bruises all over her body, she felt weak and out of energy...which is not like her because she is always on the go and she did not remember hitting herself and couldn't figure out why so many bruises. She is a CPA for a school district, has many private clients of her own, has 3 sons, a husband, a dog and is very involved in her church along with her family...so this is one busy woman!!!

Julie decided she needed to return home to go to her office and do some work so her oldest son said he'd drive her in since she didn't feel well and looked very pale. Upon arriving at work, her fellow workers immediately told her to go to the doctor, but she finished her work first and then went to see her Dr. The Dr. sent her to the hospital for an EKG because Julie thought it was her heart acting up. The EKG came back clear and they ran some blood work and her white blood cell count was up to 77,000 and the Doctor blurted out that it could be nothing except Leukemia!!!! Julie, her son and I went into utter SHOCK!!!! Doctors, nurses, technicians were going into the E.R. room and running every kind of test on Julie (including a bone marrow biopsy) and they ended up putting her in ICU so that she could have ONE nurse for 2 patients and get more attention. We had called her husband, Steven, and told him the news and poor thing had to tell the two younger boys and they quickly packed up, hooked the boat up to the truck and headed home - a 2 1/2 hour trip. Can you imagine how long that trip was for all of them?

They arrived at the hospital around, I don't know, maybe 1:30 a.m. I felt like I had literally been kicked by a horse in the stomach and I got terribly weak and my stomach started having spasms and I felt like I was going to pass out!. My grandson took me back to their house and he put me in the bedroom next to his so he could hear me he said. I prayed, I cried and screamed into the pillow until I passed out. This could not be happening, but it was!!!

This happened on a Tuesday, June 14, 2011. The folowing Thursday morning Julie was transferred to M.D. Anderson and their protocol does not allow them to accept any test results or diagnosis from any other hospital so here we go again with all of the tests (including another bone marrow biopsy) I wanted so desperately to trade places with my daughter, but I was so grateful that Julie was in a world renown hospital and that they were being so very careful. Julie received 11 units of blood and 9 units of platelets within a 3-4 week period. On July 23, Julie's church is having a blood drive for replacement blood for her.

I had already called my church and told them what was happening and Steven called their church and told them. Members were coming in EVERY day from the churches to pray for Julie. I notified all of my prayer partners and they went into action. Julie's best friend took over in their town and notified the entire world, I think. I know there are literally THOUSANDS of people praying, beseeching God on Julie's behalf. Even in different States and different Countries!

Julie married her childhood sweetheart twenty four years ago and they have three sons. Julie's and Steven's oldest son is in college studying to become a Preacher and the very Sunday after his mom was diagnosed with leukemia, he preached the following Sunday on "God's Grace." The three boys absolutely adore their parents and they are a very close family. They truly "possess what they profess." The son is one semester ahead of his class and is staying out of college this coming semester because he wants to stay home to help his parents.

When the MDA Transplant Team came in to speak to Julie & Steven, they said that MDA had been using a drug called Clofarabine for four years, but it had not been FDA approved yet, this drug is ONLY in MDA and they have to run ONE more research study on 60 people and would she consent to being number 55? We spoke to many doctor friends, including a Cancer Research Scientist and they all said to go for it! Normally this drug, by itself, would cost 90,000 dollars for the treatment, but since it is still in the "research stage," they cannot charge for it. It is being administered to Julie for free!

Today, July 18, 2011, Julie & Steven were told that the leukemia is in remission, the drug worked. However, they said that this is just a "battle" won and they want to win the war!
Julie will start her second round of chemo on July 21, and three weeks later, one more round of chemo and then a stem cell transplant (also called a bone marrow transplant - I did not know this.) There are 50 matches in the Registry for Julie and 10 of them are a PERFECT tissue match. The Transplant Team said that they are planning to do the transplant in six weeks (the end of July) and that Julie has an 80% chance of totally beating the leukemia! We are praying and BELIEVING that God will make it a 100% chance of beating this devil called leukemia!!!

My daughter and her family's faith has never faltered throughout all of this, we have all clung to Romans 8:28 "All things happen for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose." We believe that pain draws you closer to God. God has already turned many things around to work for our good and Steven is keeping a list of everything, so that his "Preacher Son" can preach a fantastic sermon in church in the very near future. Julie told her boys that if they are only going to praise God when things are running smoothly then that means that their faith is very shallow. She went on to explain that one day they would be getting married and what if, God forbid, they should get very ill and the wife said, "oh, you're sick, well then I'm out of here!" What kind of love is that??? Unfortunately,the rain falls on the just and the unjust, because we live in a cursed world.

Julie's husband has not left her side and even had to take classes on how to clean her pik lines. When Julie's hair started falling out and she decided to shave her head, Julie's husband and three sons all shaved their heads too. I beg Steven to let me spend the night with Julie when she's in the hospital but he says that he would never be able to go to sleep with her out of his sight. I have never seen such love and devotion! My daughter couldn't have possibly chosen a better man, she still says that God personally chose him for her.

I have personally been praying Psalm 57, verse one, for my Julie (along with many other personal prayers for her.) "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed."

I would like to add that my doctor tried putting me on anxiety pills because I was so distraught the first two weeks that I lost ten pounds, I simply could not eat. I took ONE pill and it totally disconnected me from everything. I may not like what is going on folks, but I don't wish to disengage from it. God has a purpose in all of this and has things that He desires to teach us and if I'm in "La La Land" then I won't be learning anything or even be of much help. I stocked up on Ensure and gradually I've been able to resume eating some again, I'm not losing anymore weight and I've already learned a few things. I know one thing for sure...no matter what, God is good ALL the time!!! Glory to God!

Debbie P.

Here is Debbie's story that she would like to share.....


I am so blessed in so many ways and by so many people. I was diagnosed, the first time, two days before my 49th birthday 2001. My husband made me go to the doctor after we noticed an indentation on my left breast. I know God has been in control the whole way. I had a day off and the surgeon had a cancellation. My breast cancer did not show up on my mammograms or ultra sounds. My surgeon was a cancer survivor and told his nurse he wanted to do a biopsy to make sure it was nothing. (I loved this man.) It was cancer and two days later he did a lumpectomy. I did the chemo and radiation, and also took Tomoxifin. I had lost my Mother to cancer and I was in a daze. My husband was my champion. He would take me to Kemah for dinner or for a drive to take my mind off my fears. Me of little faith. God was taking care of everything and I did not need to be so mental.

Life does take on a different light when you appreciate every day.

Four years later, I was having a discharge from the right breast. I was still under the care of an oncologist on 1960. He assured me it was not cancer and sent me to 4 other doctor's who could not find any reason for the discharge. A year and a half later with a new doctor and cancer now in my lymph gland, I got the correct diagnosis of cancer. This time I went to MD Anderson for my treatment. I now had two more kinds of cancer and my Dr. said I was an unusual case. She smiled and so did I.

I am here to tell you there is life with, and after, cancer. Both breast are scarred, but still with me. I have three little tattoo radiation markers, I named Father, Son and Holy Ghost, because I did not want a tattoo. I have taken chemo twice and have had radiation on both sides of my chest. I do not have any lymph glands under either arm and I am 59 years old. Thank you Jesus, Doug, family and co-workers. Life is so good.

I know you MUST be your own advocate and keep seeking help when you feel something is wrong. Doctors do not know everything! You have the right to change doctors, if you feel the need. I did!


Survivor

Deborah P

Jennifer Smith

"My friend and running buddy, Julie Bonner, asked me to do this for her. Who wouldn’t?!.....she is doing something so special and very touching.

My name is Jennifer Smith and I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer November 2006.

I am going on my 4th year of being cancer FREE! I had an aggressive, fast-growing tumor that spread in my lymph-nodes. However, it was caught early and with the aggressive approach from my doctors, we were able to kill it ALL!

My experience and recovery was pretty good, overall! The way medicine is these days, my body was able to take it without me getting sick. However, my fatigue was huge! It totally took me over and I’m not one to let that get to me. I used a personal trainer to help me thru those days….cause I was NOT going to quit taking care of myself!

I still give THANKS to all my doctors and my personal trainer! Without them, I wouldn’t be here. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here”…..WOW, it’s still strange to say those words….gives me chills each time.



Please don't take life, health, family and friends for granted. Try and live each day to it's fullest. Most importantly...have fun and laugh hard!"

Frankie Knowles

Her story on her brain cancer will be up next week.

Karlee Johnson

Karlee became ill in September 2009 with recurring fever and pain in her hands and feet. After a month of blood of draws and searching for answers Karlee became extremely ill in the middle of the night and her pediatrician advised that she be taken to Texas Children's Hospital. Karlee Johnson was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on October 8, 2009 at the age of six. Her course of treatment is approximately 2 1/2 years. She is enduring her treatment with a smile on her face. When she completes her treatment in December 2011, she will have received chemotherapy for approximately one third of her life.

Jeffrey Brown

Story coming soon.......

Ed Nagle

I never had the pleasure of knowing Ed. Sadly he passed away after being registered for the Kingwood Marathon that is run each year on January 1. His wife graciously donated his running bib to a runner who had cancer. That runner was my husband John and he ran that race in honor of Ed. That was John’s very first race and he was still in the early weeks of recovery and he ran in just under 3 hours. I have no doubt that the spirit of Ed helped John finish like he did.

Here is what Ed’s wife Marcia told us about him:

Ed had colon cancer that metastasized to his lungs. He had run 5 marathons before his diagnosis. In 1993 he had a 30 foot fall that stopped his running for a few years. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. That's when he decided to run again. After his diagnosis he ran 30 marathons, 13 half marathons, 3 Pikes Peak Ascents, and numerous smaller races. Ed felt that running gave his control over his disease. He wore a sign on his back that said "Running Down Cancer One Marathon at a Time", and most of his races were run with ulcers on his feet ,other medical challenges, and while he was on chemo. His last race was the 2009 San Antonio Half Marathon. He had hoped to run the full marathon, but at the last moment changed to the half. His speed was not what he hoped for, but he managed to finish most of his races (one Pikes Peak Ascent he had to turn around because he didn't make the time needed at the second turn around, so he ended up doing 20 plus miles instead of 13.1).

Ed would be honored that John will be running the race. I know he will be there in spirit cheering you on. Good luck to both of you with your running. Ed's doctors agreed with him that his running helped prolong his life. Medical complications, not cancer is what he died from.

I think both of you can identify with a quote Ed liked to share. "I hope to show people that adversity is not the end of the world. It's going to happen to everyone sometime during his or her lifetime. It's how you deal with it that's important. You can give up or fight. If you believe in yourself and keep fighting, it can make you a better person."

Marcia Nagle

Chester Payton "Bud" Irby

Chester Payton “Bud” Irby Jr., 76, went to be with the Lord after a courageous and determined battle with cancer on April 19, 2011. Born in Houston on Dec. 16, 1934, he lived in Huntsville, since 1976.

Throughout his life, Bud worked as a stationery engineer and construction supervisor in Houston and Huntsville, as well as overseas. He retired from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 2000. He proudly served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also a member of the Melrose Chapter of the Masonic Lodge. Bud was married 55 years to his wife, Billie, and was a devoted father and grandfather.


In his memory, friends are encouraged to make a donation to the American Cancer Society.

Jim Bruce

As I wait for Jim's family to share their story, allow me to share mine. My husband and I ran into the Bruce's one day right before Christmas a few months ago. John (my husband) had just finished treatments from cancer and was starting to be able to eat again. We shared a meal with Jim and his beautiful wife Vicki and talked for a good while. Jim was a runner too and we talked about running the Blue Bell 10k in April of this year. No one knew on that day that Jim had cancer. A couple months later in February he had a routine colonoscopy and then the story begins to change. I, like many others, have been following Jim's story through detailed update messages from Vicki. Very sadly Jim passed away yesterday on May 19, 2011. Thankfully Jim had the chance to spend his last days surrounded by the people he loved and who love him. Never take a day for granted, we do not know what God's plan is for us but we know HIS WILL will be done. There is no doubt cancer has had an impact on this family and that is why I will run for Jim on March 4, 2012 to honor his memory and raise money for cancer research.

John Bonner

Fundraising is not an easy thing, but you know what cancer isn't easy either. Please take a moment to read my story.

May 1, 2010 My husband John signed up with USA Fit-Cypress to train for his first 1/2 marathon. A few days later we signed up to run the San Antonio marathon.

June 30, 2010 John has a biopsy of a lump in his neck

July 7, 2010 John is diagnosed with a malignant tumor and surgery was scheduled.

July 25, 2010 John ran 3 miles (5K) in San Franciso which was the final leg of a "progressive marathon" (he had logged 23 miles at home)

July 30, 2010 John ran 7 miles!! The longest he has ever ran~~ this would be his last run
August 4, 2010 John had a radical neck dissection. Surgery took 5 hours they removed his complete thyroid and 68 lymph nodes. Many of them contained cancer.
August 16, 2010 John started DAILY radiation treatments (see picture..when I can get it loaded for now look at Face Book) which lasted until October 8, 2010...........8 weeks of radiation. He lost his taste buds, he had severe burns to his head, neck, and back. He lost the ability to swallow food and lost 41 pounds!!! He had to sleep sitting up and gagged and vomited all night EVERY night!
October 7, 2010 We had a big scare and were told he might have more cancer. Many STAT tests were ordered and all came back positive (meaning no more cancer!)
October 12, 2010 John was admitted to the hospital to have radiation iodine treatment. He swallowed a pill to make him radioactive. No one can be near him and he was not allowed to take anything with him to the hospital because all around him would have to be destroyed.
October 14 my sweet husband sat alone in a room wrapped in plastic waiting for the Geiger counters to have a low enough reading to allow him to come home.

It is now May 10, 2011 and John still has a little trouble swallowing and cannot taste food, but he is healthier and has even run three 1/2 marathons. The most special one was the New Orleans 1/2 Marathon where we ran side by side. I raised 2,200 for cancer research in that race and now I hope that you will help me raise 13,100.00 this time in honor of John and the 12 other families you will read about on this blog. May God bless you and your family and may you always be cancer free.