N3TR: Brittany Maynard

wanderlust508 · November 2014

My prayers go out to her and her family. And I am really glad that she was able to pursue death with dignity given her poor prognosis.

I've been following her story the last few days and it breaks my heart and at the same time helps change my perspective on so many things in life (including IF). She was TTC too before getting her diagnosis of brain cancer and will never get to realize that dream. Most of us (in spite of our struggles) get to wake up every day and have a chance at it (and so many other things we choose to pursue). For that I am so grateful. I don't say that to minimize our IF struggles at all (as I'm sure most of you know).

If you haven't watched any of her video interviews, I highly recommend them. She was such a smart, articulate, strong, positive young lady. Her perspective on life is inspiring. It makes me upset that she had to deal with critics of her decision in her final days. If anyone else has been following her story too, what do you think? Were you as affected by it as I am?

Ann612 · November 2014

I've been reading about her for a couple weeks now, and I felt the same way as you.

One of my biggest fears in life is I will pass without leaving behind a child for my husband. I can't imagine being faced with that.

dancerspose · November 2014

I too followed her story and was touched by her courage to live, and die, on her own terms.

*****warning children mentioned*****

The story struck particularly close to home for me. This past January I lost a very dear childhood friend, someone I'd known since I was 5, to cancer. Her medical history is a long story, but she's battled cancer pretty much non-stop since we were 12. When we were younger, we had similar plans for life. We would be career driven first, then family. When she realized at 20 that cancer would eventually get the better of her she decided the thing she wanted most while she was still alive was to be a mother. She was able to have two beautiful daughters (with some assisted techniques on #2). When she passed she left behind a 6 year old and 3 year old. When the cancer returned and worsened, she refused most treatments because she didn't want her children to see her deteriorate like that. In the end, she went quickly. She too lived, and died with such courage.

Whenever I'm feeling pretty low about things in my own life, I remember her and her family, and realize how lucky I am.

Sorry for the incredibly depressing story.

wanderlust508 · November 2014

@shafwilson‌ and @NariaDreaming‌ - (((Hugs))). You've both been impacted personally by losing someone you love to cancer. I can't imagine the pain that comes with that. Thank you for sharing your stories.

Hollowvic · November 2014

@EastBayBride508‌ you took the words right out of my mouth, I feel the exact same way. She was so smart and such a strong women. It really made me take a look at my life and put things in perspective, dealing with IF is horrible, don't get me wrong, but I get to wake up everyday and LIVE. My heart goes out to her family and anyone who's going through hell with such a horrible disease. @shafwilson‌ I'm so sorry about your friend, this story must be hard for you.

Ann612 · November 2014

NariaDreaming said:

Ann612 said:

I've been reading about her for a couple weeks now, and I felt the same way as you.

One of my biggest fears in life is I will pass without leaving behind a child for my husband. I can't imagine being faced with that.

I'm honestly not sure what would be worse- leaving my husband a childless widower, or leaving him a widower with young kids to care for...

When my mom, dad, and I went to Disney for my dad's "last hurrah" before he died from cancer, we met a lovely family in line for "It's a Small World". They had a young son with Down Syndrome, and we assumed they were in the handicap line because they were using a stroller as a wheelchair. They also had two young (preschool aged) daughters. The mother was wearing a shirt with a bible verse on the back (I can't remember which one).

My mom complimented the woman on her shirt. The woman turned around and said "Thank you. My name is Cat, I have stage 4 brain cancer, and I won't be alive this time next year. Please, if you pray, pray for my husband and my children that they'll have the support they need to continue on until we meet again in paradise."

Literally our only interaction with this woman. We lost my dad less than a year after that trip, and I often think of Cat, and her husband, and sweet children, and I pray often that he's had the support of his faith communty and family since his wife has almost certainly died at this point.

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