Tech Executive Reveals He's Entering Hospice and Shares Heartfelt Final Message Online: 'Be Kind, Be Brave'
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11/14/2024 12:56 PM
James Butts shared some thoughts with the Internet as he revealed he's entering hospice following a lengthy cancer journey
James Butts/Instagram
James ButtsA man looking ahead at his final days is sharing some parting thoughts on his cancer journey.
James Butts built an audience on X (formerly Twitter) as the SVP of Product & Design at food delivery service Postmates. One tweet, shared on Wednesday, Nov. 13, has gone viral as he explains where he is in his medical journey.
Butts first revealed his cancer diagnosis on Instagram in late September 2023. Although he didn't share what particular cancer he has, multiple posts refer to him battling a stage 4 cancer.
"I'm entering hospice today. Will probably update every [sic] little if at all. But I wanted to say to be kind, be brave, be principled, be an idealist. Most importantly, be a decent human," he writes. "I love that we existed together, in this moment of time."
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I'm entering hospice today. Will probably update every little if at all. But I wanted to say to be kind, be brave, be principled, be an idealist. Most importantly, be a decent human.
— James Butts (@_buames) November 13, 2024
I love that we existed together, in this moment of time.
He elaborates more in a pair of videos shared on his Instagram Story. "Hello, folks. So I just wanted to give you an update kind of on where I'm at with my health. About a week ago, things took kind of a bad turn and my liver levels ... basically, a lot of my blood work came back really bad," he explains.
"At this point, I don't have any more options for treatment or anything. So I'm going to be entering hospice."
Noting his eyes are becoming more jaundiced as his liver function decreases, Butts continues, "I'm driving down to Malibu today, with my family in Chelsea and I'm gonna be joining hospice, or entering hospice, to finish out the rest of my days in comfort and surrounded by people I love."
Butts makes it clear, "In no way do I think this is a lost battle. If anything, it's a tie, because when I die, the cancer dies with me. So all we're gonna do is move forward, right?"
His messages have led to an outpouring from people, both those who knew him and complete strangers, to wish him well and reflect on the poignancy of his final messages.
"No idea who you are. But truly appreciate this message of goodness. Godspeed," one person tweeted in response.
"Even though it's been all of two seconds that I've known you, I love that we existed together too," another wrote, adding, "Sending you strength, prayers and much love 💜."
