Dear Ms. Maynard,
First, please accept my sympathy for your illness, and my admiration for your courage.
I saw your video on CNN, in which you said that you may delay taking your own life. I cried, ma’am, for your bravery.
I admire your concern for your family, that you don’t want them to be put through the hell of your suffering, of seeing you decline.
And I’m blown away by the care for your husband, that you want him to move on, to have a family. You leave such big footprints!
I’m in a similar situation. I’m dying, and it’s getting nasty. Pain is constant (upper-abdominal and back), and fatigue is ever-present…but I’m too tired to sleep. Sometimes I pass out, which is, frankly, terrifying, because I don’t know where and when it will happen.
I can’t ride in a car without pain, so going anywhere with my wife is a non-starter. I can walk, but it hurts, and it’s become more of a stagger, with a constant tendency to veer off to the left. Kind of funny, that.
Recently added are nausea and vomiting (blood), coughing up blood clots, and…ugh…incontinence.
But one thing I have learned is that there are still things I can do. I can work to encourage people, and to say that even in the darkest times, I can still pass on love and hope. Sometimes I don’t remember my wife’s name, but I can be kind to her.
I can scratch my dogs’ ears. I can’t run with them, but they can sit with me. (They’re all rescues – we have a sanctuary for abused Pits).
And I can hope against the prognosis. I used to build airplanes, and I’m still working on one when I can, to try to reach into a future of health that it’ll take a miracle to reach.
I’ll hope for that miracle.
I won’t presume to know what’s best for you. But I do know this, that your voice of courage, and compassion for your family, has touched millions.
We need that voice, ma’am. We need you, for as long as you can stay.
I need you. I need a hero, and a companion to walk this frightening road.
Please stay, if only for a little while longer.
Yours, with love and respect,
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser
Jeanne Takenaka said:
Beautiful, Andrew!
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Andrew Budek-Schmeisser said:
Thanks, Jeanne…I hope that somehow this can help her, and others in the same position.
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http://donnelson.writerfolio.com said:
I see Jesus in what this man is doing.
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Andrew Budek-Schmeisser said:
Thank you so much!
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patriciamanns said:
Beautiful, compassionate reply, Andrew. I don’t think anyone could have said it better! May God bless your ministry beyond expectation!
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Andrew Budek-Schmeisser said:
Thank you so much – God has blessed me, and his care continues every day. I am the luckiest man alive.
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Lisa notes... said:
Keep speaking to us, Andrew. We need to hear what you have to say. A rich letter…
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Andrew Budek-Schmeisser said:
I’ll be here, Lisa. Thank you so much,
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messymarriage said:
I’m so grateful that even in the middle of your pain and suffering, Andrew, you are still thinking of others and ministering with a kind and compassionate heart. I don’t know if Brittany will ever read this, but whoever does (including me) will be blessed.
So I lift you up again, Andrew – “Father, help Andrew to feel Your empowering grace pouring down on his head and flowing over his faltering and broken body. Let that grace comfort him and give him peace–knowing how very much You love him and are with him in this trial. Give him strength and wisdom to shoulder the burden he carries because, Lord Jesus, we are blessed by his insight in the midst of unimaginable pain. Thank You for continuing to give him a heart to care for and bless us. I see You living through Him in every word he writes to us and I thank You for allowing us one more day after day of his friendship and inspiration! In Christ’s name, Amen!”
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Andrew Budek-Schmeisser said:
Beth, thank you so much – the prayer is very much needed today.
God bless!
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Cathy West said:
What everyone else said. Your words are beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
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Andrew Budek-Schmeisser said:
Cathy, thank you so much. Your words mean a lot to me.
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shellilittleton said:
Andrew, I’ve never heard of Brittany. I’ve been so out of the news loop lately. But thank you for being so real. When my grandfather got so bad … to where he could only sit in his chair and see his garden … he said, “You just get ready to go.” Go home … to God. But God leaves us here for a reason … and can use us right in the midst of disaster. Lord, use me to the last drop.
And He is using you undoubtedly till the very last drop. Praying for you.
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findingourfeetorg said:
A wonderful reminder to cherish every moment we have left. Thank you for helping put things into perspective.
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findingourfeetorg said:
Could you either message me and tell me more about what has made you so ill or if there is an article on it, direct me to it? Thank you. God bless.
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