Kindness Soothes The Soul

Donnell’s Story

Written by: MacKenzie Temple

Like all stories in this book, Donnell Mitchell’s story is more than just a cancer story. It is a story that begins and ends with a beautiful life that has fought face-to-face with its demons – sometimes a victory; sometimes not so much.

During a special fishing trip this summer, Mr. Mitchell began to share stories of his past that brought laughter, tears, and disbelief to the audience’s faces about war, family, and cancer. During this time, we sat with Mr. Mitchell and asked him if we could share his story in this year’s publication. With a slight chuckle and smile on his face, Mr. Mitchell’s response was, “Do you have enough pages?”

Mr. Donnell Mitchell grew up in the postwar era where money was tight, and future wars were of concern. He was one of four sons who were raised by a dedicated, single mother. She raised them to become strong, godly men who would bring light into this dark world.

Mr. Mitchell decided to enroll himself into the military when he was just eighteen years of age. With this, he proclaims that he found himself during his time as a soldier while also becoming a man. He was able to travel the world and experience cultures and traditions in a way that he never dreamed possible. Soon after enlisting, Mr. Mitchell was drafted to Korea in the year of 1969. He was there for four years where he says he fell in love with the people and their culture. During this time, he says he lost his childhood innocence and became a man through his experiences with war and death. He learned what it truly meant to provide for a family and what it means to be a hardworking man.

Shortly after leaving Korea, Mr. Mitchell was temporarily stationed in Laos for six months. As we talked about his time in Laos, Mr. Mitchell explained how it was the most beautiful country he had ever laid his eyes upon. While the land was beautiful, he described some of the most horrific war stories that were filled with hopelessness, death, and guilt. This is where Mr. Mitchell proclaims to have lost his levelheadedness and his hope for good in this world.

After many other posts around the world such as Germany, Thailand, Alaska, and Florida, Mr. Mitchell found himself lost at home. He didn’t know how to integrate himself back into the mainstream society of America. With this, he decided to go find help at the VA. Here, Mr. Mitchell was diagnosed with severe PTSD. After being diagnosed, Mr. Mitchell describes his struggles that soon followed. He lost touch with his family, began to use alcohol as a coping mechanism, and lost all cares for himself and the world. He was hopeless with no one to turn to.

After being diagnosed with cancer for the second time since coming back home, prostate cancer that occurred six years ago and multiple myeloma that he is currently fighting, Mr. Mitchell found himself lost with nowhere to turn to. This is when he was referred to Summit Quest Cancer Support Services as a lifeline to help with his basic needs, such as groceries and transportation. In this time, Mr. Mitchell explains how he felt lonely and conquered by his cancer and the rest of the world. He had no way to escape. He was a prisoner to his own house with a family who didn’t know what to do. He explains, “Family doesn’t know how to help or treat you when you have a serious disease.” Mr. Mitchell explains that Summit Quest has been the biggest blessing to his life in how they became someone who actually cared. Mr. James, MacKenzie, Jody, and Miriam were people who would listen and show kindness to him.

“Every day is a battle that requires prayer and talking to God in order to overcome it”

After the fishing trip, Summit Quest still acts as a guiding light in Mr. Mitchell’s darkness. As I drove him weekly to his appointments at the Harbin Clinic Cancer Center, we share laughs, smiles, and so many great stories and memories. It has truly been a blessing to watch Mr. Mitchell transform into one who demonstrates such happiness and joy around others.

As we were on one of our weekly adventures around town, I remember asking him what has made him so strong. I will never forget the look in Mr. Mitchell’s eyes as he turned to me and said, “God and Summit Quest. They are my family.” He went on to say that every day is a battle that requires prayer and talking to God in order to overcome it. While Mr. Mitchell’s story has been one with numerous ups and downs along his cancer journey and his walk with Christ, Mr. Mitchell inspires me every day and leaves me with the feeling that everything will work out in the long run. He shows me that it only takes one thing to turn your life around for the better. For him, it was Summit Quest, but, for me, I can undoubtedly say that it was Mr. Mitchell.