Posted on 11/06/2014 3:38:56 PM PST by NYer
A man diagnosed with the same form of brain cancer that led Brittany Maynard to kill herself last weekend says he chose a different path because of his faith in God.
Thirteen years ago, David Williams of Newport, Arkansas was told by his doctors that he had a progressive brain tumor called glioblastoma multiforme, and that he had 6 months to a year to live.
Williams told WMC TV that although he trusted his doctors, he refused to believe that he couldn't fight the disease and live. As a result of his determination he's undergone surgeries, chemotherapies, takes daily medication, and refuses to give up.
He credits his faith in God for prolonging his life and giving him a unique perspective from which to spread a message of hope through counseling others who find themselves in similar situations.
“There's nothing else I could think of that I could even start to give credit to except for my faith in God," said Williams.
“We look at things that happen as bad, when we can actually look at them as a blessing. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing without the cancer," he said. "Without me going through what I've gone through, I don't think I would be able to reach people the way I reach people.”
He tells those who seek him out at his church in Newport, “I'm going to make it through it. You can make it through what you're going through too."
Williams said he wishes Brittany Maynard had not chosen to kill herself.
“That's a life you're taking, that life that can mean something," he said.
“There is more than one way to help the problem that you've got. You need to find what it is that is going to help you," said Williams. "The best is always yet to come!"
Ping!
She was way too soon to kill herself. So sad. Too young and depressed. And worried about being too fat from the meds.
The group associated with Brittany’s “Compassionate Suicide” is linked to Planned Parenthood, wasn’t shocked when I heard that info..just look at Valerie Harper, given six months to live, she is still with us, still making us laugh and I believe she is in remission
Maybe she should have just threatened not to pay her doctor bill.
“Ok, I’ll give you another six months.”
lol
=D
it is rare for someone to live that long... the effects are horrible... i do not condone taking one’s life, but if one is not grounded in faith, it seems to be a viable option...
One of my best friends from my military career—a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant—was given the same diagnosis three years ago, after an earlier bout with prostate cancer. He sought out the best treatment available and put his fate in the hands of God. After surgery, multiple rounds of chemo and radiation, he has beaten that deadly form of cancer.
The odds of surviving most forms of brain cancer are slim. But some do survive, and I believe some of those survivors are here because they put their faith in a higher power.
Ironic that you chose the word “viable” to make your point. For the record, I don’t agree with Brittany’s decision.
Wow.
If this man really has survived 13 years with the same kind of cancer (a Class IV Glioblastoma multiforme) then I hope oncologists everywhere are studying everything involved with this man’s physiology and his regimen of treatment. The 5-year survival rate for a Class-IV GM is less than 5 percent. I lost a neighbor to this horrible disease, and he barely lasted a year. To have made it 13 years, and to do so and still be able to enjoy life (the progression of this disease can be very quick) is amazing.
Keep fighting the good fight, Mr. Williams!
It is not so much just surviving but when cognitive function drops below a certain level there is nothing but a silent shadow of the soul that used to thrive in that body.
Most die a quiet death after weeks of vegetative stasis. It is really the worst of all diseases to get. And no one knows why but it hits white guys between 45 and 60 years the most. Great.
Wow!
My mom received the stage IV diagnosis when she was 83...she lived for 8 months but only needed full care the last few days...She wanted to go to bingo on a Friday and passed away the following Thursday. I was so thankful to have those 8 months with her in spite of 2 brain surgeries, chemo and radiation.
"Where there is life there is hope." - Terry Schiavo
“but if one is not grounded in faith, it seems to be a viable option...”
If one is not grounded in Faith ANYTHING is viable.
This happens a lot more often than people know
was the holocaust more humane than living under NAZI rule?
I know it’s a stupid question
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Well, there you have it.
I wondered all along what kind of belief system the suicide woman had. A positive mindset and/or faith in God might have made all the difference for her. I really hate it that the press is generally in favor of her “brave” death.
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