Preloading

How Brittany Maynard Found Peace of Mind in Oregon

Season 5 Episode 501
Aired on 03/15/2015 | CC tv-14
When Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old newlywed who loved the outdoors, found out that she had brain cancer, she prepared for the fight of her life, says her husband, Dan Diaz. "That's why she endured an eight-hour brain surgery. That's, you know, why we looked into every possible treatment we could," Dan says. "The unfortunate thing is that while we're in the middle of all this research, her tumor is progressing, and her symptoms are getting worse."

When Brittany's tumor returned just months after surgery, doctors gave her a grim prognosis, telling her that she had about six months to live. At this time, Dan says, Brittany began to ask about her end-of-life options and whether, by California law, she had the right to take prescribed aid-in-dying medication. "Brittany was a very determined individual and very realistic about everything," Dan tells Oprah. "So she asked the hard questions of the doctors, and when we found out early on that there isn't a cure, she did bring it up."

Watch as Dan reveals why he and Brittany decided to leave their home in California and move to Oregon.

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