On Borrowed Time, How I Built a Life While Beating Death

by Bryan Donahue, M. Rutledge McCall

There is a simple concept in each of our lives that has the power to transform our future. It's nothing new, but it is often overlooked when searching for the "magic formula" of triumph or survival or success. It's the power of thought, and it is crucial in controlling the daily choices we make on our way to success or failure.    As a 22 year old US Marine, Bryan Donahue considered himself extremely healthy and physically fit. Then he was told he had less than six months to live. To put things in perspective, in February of 1999, just eight months after Bryan was diagnosed, Super Bowl-winning running back Walter Payton--one of the top five-ranked football players in the history of the sport--was diagnosed with the same disease. He was dead by that Thanksgiving. If this disease could put a superman like Walter Payton in the grave in just months...what chance did Bryan have?    In these pages, Bryan Donahue reflects on his personal struggles in fighting a battle against a rare and deadly liver disease. He wasn't so much afraid that he would die, but that he had not yet lived. As a young man barely launching out into life, it was a stark challenge to maintain an optimistic attitude while trying to win a life or death battle and remain confident that he might someday enjoy a fulfilling, successful life. But his choice was Win. Period.    Wining this battle would take an extraordinary mindset, with the goal of transforming his ebbing life from simply breathing to truly living--with no regrets. The challenge of transitioning from a good, healthy life to being grateful in the midst of being at death's door was extremely daunting. How do you gain a greater appreciation for life and feel like you are truly living, while a disease has its claws in you and is dragging you toward the grave?    Yet, that's exactly what Bryan Donahue did. He joined the battle. Although he was suffering tremendously every day, he was determined to make sure that, at least mentally, his good days would became great days. Because he didn't have many left. Sure, he was at the mercy of the illness. But emotionally and mentally, he was in charge. His new attitude and outlook on life, along with an extraordinary and unexpected gift, would save him--and teach him to stop and smell the roses along this incredible journey of life that each of us are privileged to embark upon.    As simple as it may sound, through his journey of eight years of mental stress and physical pain, Bryan Donahue learned how richly blessed he is to be able to shout, "I'm alive!" This incredible, uplifting tale of courage, growth and the power of thought in dealing with the most daunting obstacles in life is an encouraging must-read for everyone who wants a brand new outlook on life.     You can choose your best outcome--in every situation. It may take faith and time, but you cannot give up...because with each passing day, we all have fewer tomorrows.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2012

Reviews

[M. McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fave line in this book: "...to put things in perspective, in February of 1999, just eight months after I was diagnosed, Super Bowl-winning running back Walter Payton—one of the top five-ranked football players in the history of the sport—was diagnosed with the same disease. He was dead by that Thanksgiving. If this disease could put a superman like Walter Payton in the grave in just months...what chance did I have?" ...typical, great M. Rutledge McCall writing setup! Bryan is amazing, the story is gripping, the ending is perfect.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotionally gripping, extremely informative, well written book about a regular guy who not only survives a one in ten thousands medical problem that killed the likes of Chicago Bears Walter Payton, but thrives in the aftermath. Great, inspirational book. Read it.