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Her mom is sick in Indiana, so when Southwest canceled her flight, she started driving

Melissa Clark's nightmare started in Houston on Monday when she was set to fly to see her sick mom in Indiana. When Southwest canceled her flight, she hit the road.

HOUSTON — The travel nightmare across the country has affected so many people in so many ways. Southwest Airlines canceled 61% of its flights on Wednesday and has already canceled 58% of its flights Thursday, according to FlightAware.

For Melissa Clark, it started on Monday, when she was supposed to be with her sick mother in Indiana. Since then, she has crossed state lines on the ground to get to where she needed to be.

“My mom keeps asking, 'Where’s Melissa?' And my brothers keep trying to explain to her that I am trying to get there,” Clark said.

Clark now won't be able to see her mother until Thursday. And she's out more than $1,100, not including what she spent on the flight that was ultimately canceled.

"It's been very difficult," Clark said.

Doctors told her to get to Indiana as fast as possible.

“They said they need to put her in hospice. There’s nothing more they can do for her cancer,” she said.

After canceling her flight on Monday, Southwest gave her no hope of getting another flight anytime soon.

“I spent 11 hours at the airport total,” Clark said.

KHOU 11 News spoke to her at the baggage claim at Hobby Airport when she made the decision to drive.

“I paid an extra $900 almost on a car rental to get here,” she said.

She spent 13 hours driving on Tuesday driving from Houston to Missouri, where she spent the night in a hotel. Another expense to add to her travel misery. On Wednesday, she drove another 6 hours to get to Indianapolis. On Thursday, she'll complete her journey to Muncie, where she'll finally be able to see her mom.

“This has been a very stressful time for my family. They’ve been wanting me to get here. The doctors have called me. It’s time for Southwest to step up, really,” Clark said.

According to Southwest Airlines, they will "honor reasonable requests for reimbursement for meals, hotel and alternate transportation."

Clark said she just hopes they'll make it right.

“They said they were going to, so I expect them to hold to their word,” she said.

Southwest said it could take until next week to get its schedule back on track. If your flight was canceled and you've had to pay out-of-pocket to reach your destination, be sure to save receipts.

Click here to file a claim for reimbursement from Southwest.

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