UPDATE!
Dr. Humphrey successfully completed the
Rocky Raccoon 50-miler ultra marathon
and raised over $28,000 for the Alzheimer's Association Mid-Missouri Chapter!

Way to go!

Read his thoughts...

In 2 Timothy it says: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

I finished the Rocky Raccoon 50-mile ultramarathon but it was a fight. It was a fight because of the many roots on the trail, the elevation change (8,000 feet), and the warm weather (runners like to run in pretty cool weather). Yet, I had peace about me and unrelenting faith. I could finish the race because God and so many family and friends supported my effort to honor my mom.

I felt so much love out there on the trail. So many personal and touching stories kept me going forward. In one really moving story I was asked to run for "Don" for a segment of the run. In another, I was asked to remember a couple of family members struck down by Alzheimer's.

Over the 10 hours it took me to run the Rocky Raccoon (I've aptly renamed it the "Rooty Raccoon" - I fell twice on those darn roots!) I had plenty of time to reflect and think about the many stories and blessings received and on my mom and dad's situation. One of the realizations I had is that we are not meant to fight our fights alone. We need to share our stories. We need to reach out because so many folks care and want to be part of something larger than themselves. We need one another to finish the race! 
 
Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and support. Not only did we honor my mom but we have donated just over $28,000 to the Alzheimer's Associaton Mid-Missouri Chapter! All this by just going on a little run!        
 

 

 

 

 

Watch a recent story featured on KOMU's sports show about Dr. Humphrey's event.

 

 

Here's his story:

A loving mother and a grateful son

My mom, Janice, was definitely what a mom should be to a son when I was growing up and when I was grown up.   She was the one in my younger days who took care of me just because she loved me.   I was far from a perfect child, yet she nurtured me.  She encouraged me when she knew I needed encouragement.  Her serving heart was unrelenting both in the home and when she was running me around to various activities.  She was always there when I was in need, lifting me up when I was down.  She let me be all boy, getting dirty and doing the silly things that boys do.  She disciplined me out of love even when I was a little over the top in my boyish pursuits.  Simply put, she put my needs ahead of hers, always.

When I was older she continued to be a calming force within our family, always steady, always consistent, always smiling and always positive.  Never a harsh or negative word could be heard coming from her mouth.  She continued to serve out of her love for her family.  Family and everything that her family valued was all that mattered to her.   She set aside her interests so her children could pursue theirs.  Truly, a Godly woman blessing her family beyond measure. 

My father, Loren, well this isn’t about him, but it is about him.  What a gifted, intelligent, and driven man.  His academic (he’s a surgeon) and personal accomplishments would take pages to describe.  At the hospital he worked incredibly long hours providing best of class care for his patients.  At home, he was the leader and provider for his family.  When the demands of his profession wore him down, my mom took care of him too.  She was in love with my father and dedicated her life to him. 

Well, things have changed a lot in the last 7 years for my mom since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).   First there was the forgetfulness, not remembering names or places.  Then, sadly, she sometimes had bouts of confusion, even calling me wondering who that “stranger” was in their house.  Later, some depression, realizing during moments of clarity what was happening and wondering if she was a burden to anyone.  She is now bedridden, unable to care for herself or even feed herself.  She doesn’t recognize me and doesn’t say much.  She’s seems happy but she’s not really there. 

Alzheimer's is a disease of one affecting two

With her diagnosis, my father’s life has never been the same.  All of his dreams of their life together beyond raising four children and working so hard for so many years are no longer a possibility.  To his credit and true to his love for his wife, my father is completely dedicated to my mom.  He takes care of all of her needs including feeding her, bathing her, combing her hair, brushing her teeth, turning her in bed, and getting her out of bed.   His life, their life together, didn’t turn out how he thought it would turn out.  He gets out of the house some either playing golf or working out, but really his life at this time is consumed by my mom’s needs.   I know he faces isolation and depression on a daily basis.  But this is where he is in life.  This is his calling for the love of his life.  He wouldn’t have it any other way.  He is serving her just like she served him and his family for all those years. 

In every sad or difficult situation if we look hard enough there is a “silver lining”.  As we strive to forge ahead through difficult times, and we’ll all have them, sometimes it’s how we respond to the situation that matters.  Sometimes our response comes from the depths of a transformed soul.  The father that raised me in my youth has become a caring and loving dad!  His heart has been softened.  He is a changed man.  To witness the depth of his love for my mom over the past several years has been so inspiring, so moving.  Even though my mom doesn’t know who my dad is, he still knows my mom and cares for her with such tenderness and true love.

How to honor her

I’m Paul, mom and dad’s third son.  I am one of three physician children.  My sister is a nurse.  My busy vascular surgery practice and life with my own family afford me my own selfish protection from the daily suffering that is going on just down the street.  I feel helpless as my mom fades away, as her “slate” is being wiped clean.  I am of no help to my father who daily picks up his cross and carries it with such perseverance and honor.  Oh, I do drop by now and then, but not nearly enough….I’m busy.  Alzheimer’s knows no familial boundaries, somehow finding ways to affect all family members by sending out its ‘tangles’ into our lives. 

How have I responded to the affects of AD in our family?   I pursue a loving, benevolent God with all my heart and I run.  Between running and God I maintain some sense of personal sanity and of hope for my parents.  I also run for the physical benefits to try to ward off the lurking AD demon in my own life.  I just completed the Dallas White Rock Marathon in preparation for the ultramarathon.  An ultramarathon is basically where you run more than the 26.2 miles required of a marathon.   On February 7, 2009, I’m going to run the Rocky Raccoon 50 miler in Huntsville, Texas.  The run will be dedicated to my mom and her disease.  It’s really nothing compared to what she’s gone through but I feel the urge to do something.  Can I really run 50 miles, though, at one time?  I honestly don’t know.  Seems insanely long!  I do know this, no amount of personal suffering for a day can compare to what my mom and dad have gone through for the past seven years. 

My goals for the run are to honor Janice, my mom, and to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer’s disease.  Financially, I would like to raise $20,000 which will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association for services and research.  I am personally going to match all private donations up to $10,000.  Would you please consider helping me to honor my mom.  Maybe your contribution will make a difference for someone in your own family some day.

Please take a moment now to honor Janice Humphrey with your donation. 

Click here to print a donation form to mail with your payment (WORD version).

Click here to print a donation form to mail with your payment (PDF version).    

Many blessings,
Janice’s son, Paul