Latest news with #terminalcancer
Arab News
2 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
Book Review: ‘When Breath Becomes Air'
Published a year after the author's death aged 37 in 2015, 'When Breath Becomes Air' is an autobiography about the life and struggle with terminal lung cancer of Dr. Paul Kalanithi. In the book, Kalanithi, an American neurosurgeon at Stanford University, talks about his own journey from being a physician providing treatment to his patients to becoming a patient himself facing premature mortality. The narrative moves from talking about how Kalanithi saved lives to confronting the end of his own, reflecting on what makes life worth living in the face of death. Despite his diagnosis, Kalanithi continued working as a physician and even became a father, explaining to his readers how he embraced life fully until the very end. Unfortunately, the book had to be completed by his wife after his passing, and serves as a moving meditation on legacy, purpose, and the human experience. Among the book's strengths are its authenticity and depth of emotions, touching on everything from the day-to-day experiences of physicians to Kalanithi's own love of literature — originally, he had studied English at university. A fitting tribute, then, that his own work would go on to become a New York Times' bestseller. Neurosurgery, though, was in his words an 'unforgiving call to perfection' which not even his diagnosis could check. 'Before my cancer was diagnosed, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn't know when,' he wrote. 'After the diagnosis, I knew that someday I would die, but I didn't know when.' The book garnered praise upon publication, winning the Goodreads Choice Award for Memoir and Autobiography in 2016. Its run on the NYT's bestseller list lasted an impressive 68 weeks. Writing in the Guardian, Alice O'Keefe suggested: 'The power of this book lies in its eloquent insistence that we are all confronting our mortality every day, whether we know it or not. The real question we face, Kalanithi writes, is not how long, but rather how, we will live — and the answer does not appear in any medical textbook.'
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
TalkTV's James Whale shares emotional cancer battle update as he says ‘I haven't got much longer' in heartbreaking video
JAMES Whale has shared a heartbreaking update after revealing last month that he only has weeks to live in his terminal cancer battle. The TalkTV presenter took to social media on Sunday to post a heartfelt message to his grandson on his birthday. 5 5 5 The 74-year-old shared a video on X in which he said: ''m not terribly well in the final stages of cancer, but I just want to tell my grandson how proud I am of him. ' He's a royal marine and he's been a royal marine for over six months, nearly a year now, he got through all his training, and I am so, so proud, you have no idea.' As he struggled to hold back tears, the Celebrity Big Brother star continued: 'Happy Birthday, mate. 'Happy Birthday to all of you who have put your lives where you have. '360 years ago, the royal marines were founded. Happy Birthday to you all.' Taking the opportunity to reassure his fans, he concluded: 'It's alright, I'm an old git, [I'm] 74. 'I'm still on the TV and radio but not for much longer. I love you all, guys.' Fans and well-wishers flocked to the comments section to send him their messages of support as he continues his final stages of terminal kidney cancer. One X user wrote: 'You have been the voice of many people, thank you. Your family are lucky to have such an inspirational loved one. Thinking of you and sending love.' Another fan commented: 'Bless you James, stay strong and keep fighting, we are all with you on this journey.' James Whale reveals he's got weeks to live in emotional update on cancer battle, saying 'I spend a lot of time crying' While a third expressed: 'Sending love and strength to you James. You are an incredible man who has fought this despicable disease with such defiance and at times humour. Your grandson is no doubt proud of his adorable grandad.' James was diagnosed with kidney cancer in February 2000 and underwent surgery to remove one of his kidneys, opting not to have chemotherapy afterwards. In 2020, the television personality revealed the cancer had spread to his spine, brain and lungs. Just last month, James announced on his show, which he has been filming from home, that he doesn't have long left in his battle. He told viewers: 'I'm actually in my last couple of weeks. Last time I saw my oncologist, he said I probably have only got weeks to go. 'Over the 50 years, I have interviewed and chatted to some of the most amazing people. It may have been you. Maybe we'll catch up for the last time.' Earlier this year, he celebrated his 74 th birthday in the company of his loved ones, surrounded by his family and friends. James has been married to his wife Nadine Lamont-Brown for four years, after tying the knot at a ceremony in Tenterden, Kent in October 2021. The broadcaster's first wife, Melinda Maxted, ironically, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in February 2018 and died three months later. They have two sons, James and Peter. 5 5
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Small town neighborhood rallies together to create 'last' Christmas in summer for girl, 9, with terminal cancer
A tight-knit Maryland community came together to give a little girl who has been battling terminal cancer for years a spirited summertime Christmas celebration. Kasey Zachmann, 9, of Bethesda, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer called medulloblastoma when she was five years old. After years of grueling surgeries, trials, and rounds of chemo and radiation, her parents, Alyssa and Joe, received heartbreaking news from her doctors on June 23. Doctors said Kasey's cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and she may only have a few weeks to live. Learning what no parent ever wants to hear, Alyssa and Joe were determined to make sure their daughter spends her time joyfully and surrounded by loved ones. And with Kasey's diagnosis day, June 28, just days away at the time, they planned to turn the glum anniversary into Kasey's favorite holiday - Christmas Day. 'I was trying to think of fun things that we could do for Kasey to build memories,' Alyssa told Bethesda Magazine. 'So we thought it would be amazing to give her the chance to celebrate Christmas one last time.' Her immediately parents reached out to their neighbors, asking for them to decorate their homes with Christmas lights. 'This week will be incredibly hot and not the best climate for putting up lights, but we're not sure how much time we have,' the Zachmanns wrote to their neighbors, NBC reported. Despite the scorching heat and humidity, hundreds of community members happily complied with the festive request. As neighbors decked the town with lights and wore Christmas-themed outfits, 25 firetrucks drove over to the Zachmann's house - bringing Santa along with them. Kasey, wearing a Nutcracker-themed dress, smiled as she enjoyed the day with other kids in her neighborhood and her sister, Zara. She also received cards and gifts. She and her family made sure to drive by each and every house that participated to show their gratitude. 'It was magical. We tried to get to every single house, so it took us two hours to drive around,' Alyssa told Bethesda Magazine, noting that some people were standing in the rain when they arrived. What started as an email to those living nearby blew up into an event spanning 11 neighborhoods along the DC-Maryland border, according to The Washington Post. This diagnosis day turned holiday party was even celebrated nationally, with people from all 50 states sending in videos to wish Kasey a merry Christmas. 'June 28 for us has been diagnosis day, has been a heavy day for us,' Alyssa told NBC. 'For us to now be able to think about June 28 as Christmas in June, especially next year, we're so thankful.'
News.com.au
24-06-2025
- News.com.au
‘Just about dead': Peter Falconio's murderer Bradley John Murdoch in palliative care
Outback killer Bradley John Murdoch has been released from prison into palliative care at Alice Springs Hospital, where he will be allowed out on excursions in his dying days. The 67-year-old, who was found guilty in 2005 of the 2001 murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio, is 'just about dead', a source told the NT News. Murdoch was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in 2019, and has been receiving chemotherapy at the hospital. According to the source, a currently wheelchair-bound Murdoch returned to Alice Springs Correctional Centre to say goodbye to his fellow inmates. The killer, they claimed, gets 'special treatment for a murderer' – including more welfare checks than any other prisoner – and had been in and around the Northern Territory town on excursions, often accompanied by high-ranking corrections officers. A spokesperson for the NT Department of Corrections declined to comment on the state of Murdoch's health or his reported excursions around Alice Springs. 'The Department of Corrections does not comment on the health of individual prisoners,' they said in a statement. 'Additionally, we do not provide details about prisoner movements or escorts for operational security reasons.'
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Esther Rantzen speaks of ‘enormous relief' after MPs backed assisted dying Bill
Dame Esther Rantzen has said she felt 'enormous relief' at MPs approving the assisted dying Bill. Appearing on ITV1's Loose Women, Dame Esther, who has terminal cancer, said she had not expected to reach her 85th birthday yesterday (Sunday) when she was diagnosed. 'Who knew I'd be 85, heavens,' she said. On the topic of assisted dying, for which she has been one of the most high-profile campaigners, she said: 'It's not a question of shortening your life, it's a question of shortening your death and we've always thought that was very important for people… to have that choice.' She said she had not yet been given a six-month deadline for her own cancer and is due to have more chemotherapy this week. Discussing safeguarding concerns, Dame Esther said: 'The difference is that decisions are being made by the patient and I think some people do find that difficult. 'Some of my closest relatives and best friends are psychiatrists, but I'm not sure psychiatrists are always happy to give control back to the patient, but that's what we're asking for.' She said of her own illness: 'One of the things about cancer, which I think people don't realise – I didn't realise – it can create fatigue which means you can't do the things you would like to do.' Referencing not being able to join the panel in the studio, she added: 'Like for example, join Loose Women. I mean, I like being loose!' Last week, Dame Esther urged members of the House of Lords not to block legislation on the issue. The Terminally Ill Adults (End Of Life) Bill cleared the Commons with a majority of 23 votes on Friday, but opponents have vowed to continue their resistance in the unelected chamber. The legislation could face a difficult passage through the Lords, with critics poised to table amendments to add further restrictions and safeguards to the Bill. Last week, Dame Esther told BBC Radio 4's Today: ' People who are adamantly opposed to this Bill, and they have a perfect right to oppose it, will try and stop it going through the Lords, but the Lords themselves, their duty is to make sure that law is actually created by the elected chamber, which is the House of Commons, who have voted this through.' She said the legislation would probably not become law in time for her to use it and she would have to end her life at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, which she signed up to following her diagnosis.
