by ~ Rowenna Ward (Lota's Mom)
Keith Lotatoa Ward "Lota" was a much welcomed addition to our family in 2006. He was our first boy after three girls in a row. And with Daddy being an only child, I was so happy to know Keith can finally have his little boy to do guy things with.
LOTA'S VERY FIRST RACE:
The excitement on Lota's face as he sprinted to the finish line at the 2012 XTERRA Trail Run National Champion Kids Fun Run was absolutely priceless. He was only 5 years old. We were such proud parents. Little did we know that that was the beginning of an inspirational story that will unfold right before our eyes a few years later. XTERRA even had him on camera that day. You can find the video here.
Lota comes up at 6:46 wearing #2139.
That exciting moment turned into a passion for running after several trail runs with his Dad. Lota and his Dad developed a very tight bond and running became their thing.
BEGGING TO RUN:
As Keith (Lota's Dad) and I prepared to run the Ogden half marathon in May 2014; Lota begged to let him run with us. My answer was a very firm No, but Lota was relentless. He wasn't taking a No for an answer. He begged. He cried. He begged again. Finally his Dad had to convince me to just let him try. We agreed to let him run a half later (just not during my first half). However, he must first run a 5K.
We signed him up for his school 5K fundraiser to see how he does. A week before race day, Lota fell off the monkey bars at school and broke his arm. We assumed he wasn't going to run it because of his cast. But No. Lota ran it and crossed the finish line with smiles and more determination to run his first half. A few weeks later, he ran his first half at the XTERRA Olympic Park, Park City 21K (13.1 trail miles). I was a nervous mess on the way to the finish line that day. To be honest, I didn't want him to run such a long race. I didn't have a good enough reason. I was simply scared for him.
Keith Lotatoa Ward "Lota" was a much welcomed addition to our family in 2006. He was our first boy after three girls in a row. And with Daddy being an only child, I was so happy to know Keith can finally have his little boy to do guy things with.
LOTA'S VERY FIRST RACE:
The excitement on Lota's face as he sprinted to the finish line at the 2012 XTERRA Trail Run National Champion Kids Fun Run was absolutely priceless. He was only 5 years old. We were such proud parents. Little did we know that that was the beginning of an inspirational story that will unfold right before our eyes a few years later. XTERRA even had him on camera that day. You can find the video here.
Lota comes up at 6:46 wearing #2139.
That exciting moment turned into a passion for running after several trail runs with his Dad. Lota and his Dad developed a very tight bond and running became their thing.
BEGGING TO RUN:
As Keith (Lota's Dad) and I prepared to run the Ogden half marathon in May 2014; Lota begged to let him run with us. My answer was a very firm No, but Lota was relentless. He wasn't taking a No for an answer. He begged. He cried. He begged again. Finally his Dad had to convince me to just let him try. We agreed to let him run a half later (just not during my first half). However, he must first run a 5K.
We signed him up for his school 5K fundraiser to see how he does. A week before race day, Lota fell off the monkey bars at school and broke his arm. We assumed he wasn't going to run it because of his cast. But No. Lota ran it and crossed the finish line with smiles and more determination to run his first half. A few weeks later, he ran his first half at the XTERRA Olympic Park, Park City 21K (13.1 trail miles). I was a nervous mess on the way to the finish line that day. To be honest, I didn't want him to run such a long race. I didn't have a good enough reason. I was simply scared for him.
Nothing was going to stop Lota from his very first half. Not an awkward cast, not even his mother. Even though he struggled at mile 9 and 11, he crossed the finish line with smiles and an announcement - "I'm going to cover my walls with these, Mom!" as he held up his medal with confidence and pride.
He wasn't joking. He later ran the XTERRA Jordenelle 21K, followed by the XTERRA Wolf Mountain 10K. By this time, Lota was so confident with his running, he would not stop talking about his next race. We challenged him to run his next race for a good cause and he embraced the idea. He decided to run his next half for two neighborhood friends that have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Amy Donaldson wrote a beautiful piece on Lota in the Deseret Newspaper. You can find it here: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865611357/Layton-family-turns-tough-trail-runs-into-a-family-affair.html?pg=all
RUNNING FOR HIS FRIENDS WITH SMA:
In September, despite bad weather and a headache, Lota was determine to run for his friends. The XTERRA National Champions held at Snowbasin Resort in Ogden UT was not an easy run. The weather wasn't cooperating that day either, but despite all that Lota gave it his all. He crossed the finish line at around 3hours and 30 minutes and he raised $1735 on gofundme for his friends. Best of all he brought awareness to Spinal Muscular Atrophy; a disease many did not know about until they heard about Lota's cause. Lota thought it was the coolest thing to raise that money for Tanner and Skyler Jensen. He was so happy to help. It was after that race that I was 100% certain, there was something special about Lota. Something I did not fully understand.
TENDER MERCIES & GUARDIAN ANGELS:
RUNNING FOR HIS FRIENDS WITH SMA:
In September, despite bad weather and a headache, Lota was determine to run for his friends. The XTERRA National Champions held at Snowbasin Resort in Ogden UT was not an easy run. The weather wasn't cooperating that day either, but despite all that Lota gave it his all. He crossed the finish line at around 3hours and 30 minutes and he raised $1735 on gofundme for his friends. Best of all he brought awareness to Spinal Muscular Atrophy; a disease many did not know about until they heard about Lota's cause. Lota thought it was the coolest thing to raise that money for Tanner and Skyler Jensen. He was so happy to help. It was after that race that I was 100% certain, there was something special about Lota. Something I did not fully understand.
TENDER MERCIES & GUARDIAN ANGELS:
On Friday October 17th, after getting a letter in the mail that Lota had failed an eye screening at school, I had a strong feeling to get Lota in for an eye exam that very day. My first call that moment was to our new insurance for a list of providers. Miraculously, a customer service agent answered immediately instead of the usual automated machine and within minutes a list of providers was in in inbox. I had another strong feeling to make an appointment that very day. It was a tough task, given it was already 12:30 pm. Keith was getting ready for work and he wanted to spend some quality time before heading out the door. However, the feeling was persistent, "Get Lota in to see an eye doctor today". I followed through. After calling several providers with no success, I finally got a last minute appointment with Dr. Wenom at Specialized Optical in South Ogden; someone had just canceled.
Another strong impression came to me. "Take Keith with you". I did.
Another strong impression came to me. "Take Keith with you". I did.
At the eye exam, Dr. Wenom noticed that both of Lota's optic nerves were severely swollen and his eyes were under extreme stress. He diagnosed Lota with papilledema and transferred us right away to Dr. Poll, an ophthalmologist at Mt Ogden Eye Center. After doing further testing, Dr. Poll informed us that there is something in Lota's head, pushing against the back of his eyes. "A brain tumor?" I asked. "Yes". He did not hesitate. The news was hard to swallow. But somehow I felt a great deal of peace and calmness. It was a very strange feeling and I was a little bit confused with how I was handling this terrible news.
Dr. Poll referred us to Ogden Regional ER for an MRI. At around 8 pm a tumor was discovered and we were referred to Primary Children Medical Center. We made a stop at home where Poppah met us and and gave Keith and Lota each a blessing. The drive to the unknown was heart wrenching, but the pain I saw in Keith's eyes that night broke my heart in pieces. Only a father who treasures his son could only understand his pain. I reached out and held his hand. "We have a strong team" is what I kept telling him. I was so sure of every word. I knew it was coming from within because each word felt right and warm.
XTERRA wrote a beautiful article about Lota here: http://www.xterraplanet.com/2014/11/xterra-kid-big-heart-needs-help/
XTERRA wrote a beautiful article about Lota here: http://www.xterraplanet.com/2014/11/xterra-kid-big-heart-needs-help/
THE BEGINNING OF LOTA'S FIGHT:
At Primary Children, we were sent directly to the ICU where a team of doctors surrounded Lota's bed for a briefing. The reality of that moment was tough for both Keith and I. But that peaceful feeling was still there and I was comforted to know Lota was in great hands. We also noticed that Lota's vision was deteriorating fast since his eye exam at 2:45pm. Doctors were shock at how long Lota was able to take all that pressure in his brain. Lota could have easily fallen into a coma if we didn't bring him in that day.
As we waited for doctors to see what the best route is for Lota, I finally realized what had just happened. The Spirit and Lota's guardian angels have been there the whole way. They held each door open for my next step. My boy needed help right away and that help could only come through me that day. All I had to do was listen and do. These were no coincidence. I have witness the tender mercies of my Lord and Savior. I have seen a miracle unfold in front of my own eyes. I shed tears of gratitude. I shed tears of humility. I thank God for using me to help my little warrior. I was grateful that at that moment I was in tune with the Spirit. I was listening.
For almost 4 weeks, we waited and prayed for good news. On October 28th 2014, Lota was diagnosed with Teratoma, a rare form of brain tumor. As we waited for his second brain surgery, Lota was baptized. Many people came and brought presents for him. He marveled at all the love he received. I still remember the next morning after his baptism. He came up to me and said "Mom, my baptism was really weird." I asked him why. He said "So many people brought me presents. Normally you don't get presents on your baptism." I smiled and said "Why do you think those people brought you so many presents?" He answered, "Because they want me to be brave for my surgery". I smiled with tears in my heart.
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