This past week one of the news stations aired a piece on John Bienvenue, who is still living 6 years past a glioblastoma surgery in which a lemon-sized tumor was removed from his brain. At the time his little son was just eight months old.
“Glioblastoma is a fast-growing brain or spinal cord tumor. These tumors grow from glial cells which form the (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord,” writes Dr. Howard LeWine. “Indeed, this cancer has a very poor prognosis because most often not all the cancer cells can be removed in surgery. While additional therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy can slow tumor growth, they usually don’t stop the cancer completely.”
Bienvenue was initially given three to six months to live. Post surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, the cancer recurred. His response to his expected death was to live fully. Committed to living simply, they live what they call their “bucket list life.” Unlike a more typical “bucket list,” theirs is not focused on extravagant or exotic but on things like planting a garden, having some chickens. Bienvenue gave up his desk job as a vice president of a development company and became a landscaper. They spend time with their son, now six, and with extended family and friends. And, despite uncertainty about the impact of his treatment on fertility, they have learned his wife is pregnant with their second child.
When I searched information about glioblastoma, I discovered that there were numerous success stories. Despite median life span beyond diagnosis being 13 months, one such story was documented of a young man 20 years past diagnosis. His response to his unusual years of survival? “I seek refuge in happiness, humor, and love. My world has never revolved around the fear of cancer, but rather how grateful I am to be able to live the life I have lived, even if it’s on ‘borrowed time’ in the eyes of some of my past doctors.”
May we be bearers of hope, the “wait staff” of Hope’s Café for each other and all those we encounter. Shalom, Kate “
Hope’s Café Bonus: What Makes a Good Bucket List?
“Simply packing your life with cool experiences can ultimately feel kind of hollow. There is more to a life well-lived than pleasure-seeking.
To answer the question ‘What makes a good bucket list?’ we must also ask ‘What makes a good life?’.
Good bucket list goals will contribute to your flourishing as a human being and not just be empty trips to overhyped tourist attractions or a box-ticking exercise.” — Traveling Light
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