Brittany Maynard is 29 years old. Most 29 year-olds are in the process of getting established in their careers and starting families and generally setting out on a path they have worked to pave for themselves.

But according to an interview in People Magazine, Brittany’s plans are very different. Brittany is making plans to die. She has set the date of her demise on Nov. 1, days after her husband’s birthday.

According to her interviews on CNN and in People, Brittany and her family had to move from California to Oregon to secure a prescription for medication to end her life. Oregon is one of only a few states where assisted suicide is legal under the Death with Dignity Act, enacted in 1997.

“I’ve had the medication for weeks,” she wrote in an op-ed for CNN. “I’m not suicidal. If I were, I would have consumed that medication long ago. I do not want to die. But I am dying. And I want to die on my own terms.” Brittany has made this decision after looking into treatments, hospice and decided that none of these options would guarantee she would not suffer or lose control of her body and functions.

Brittany was diagnosed with brain cancer on New Year’s Day. She has had surgery and was given about 10 years to live. But in April her initial diagnosis was elevated to stage four glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumor. She wants to die with dignity on her own terms and use her final days to help others change the law and have the same choice to die when they want to regardless of the state they live in.

There is much to debate in Brittany’s unfortunate story. There are the issues of our need to control, our need to be useful, healthy, never be a burden and our overall perception of dignity. Life is not just about the young, attractive, able-bodied movers and shakers. I have daughters the same age as Brittany. My heart aches for her and her family. It is tragic for one so young to be so burdened with illness and, yes, suffering.

That’s one story. I want to also tell the story of Father Donald Wagener who, like Brittany, faced down the same devastating diagnosis of glioblastoma. Same tragic story, different end.

Father Wagener was pursuing his dream of becoming a priest. In 2003 he was ordained a transitional deacon and was assigned to Holy Angels Parish in Aurora for the summer. Within two weeks of arriving at the parish, the pastor noticed Father Wagener seemed ill. He was treated for a sinus infection several times and he happily continued his parish duties. Then on June 5, Father Wagener collapsed leading a holy hour for the parish. He was taken to the hospital where a massive tumor was found.

Tests revealed the diagnosis of glioblastoma, just one year away from his ordination to the priesthood.

Father Wagener underwent surgery and suffered a stroke. Having completed all the academic requirements for ordination, Pope John Paul II granted permission for Father Wagener’s early ordination. So on Oct. 11, 2003, he received the Sacrament of Holy Orders from Bishop Thomas G. Doran.

At his ordination there were only physical signs of illness. His mental condition was as strong as his faith. He said in an interview with me at the time, “My faith has kept me going and has helped me remember that I am not alone. I have always looked forward to being a priest. I do wonder how active I can be in ministry, but then I see the Holy Father (St. Pope John Paul II) in his weak condition and I think, ‘He hasn’t given up, why should I?’ ”

Father Wagener said at the time that he thought he would be able to be a good listener and, as a priest, would be open with people to counsel and help them.

“My illness has taught me that you can only plan so much, so whatever happens, happens,” he told me. He also talked of how inspired he was by the prayerful support of the priests and people of the Rockford Diocese. “I am very fortunate,” he said.

In the time he had left, Father Wagener had no grand plan to change the church, change his diagnosis or any laws for those who want to escape their sufferings.

Instead, Father Wagener said in his final days that he just wanted to use his skills, and yes, even his illness, to bring people closer to God and to do the best he could do according to God’s will even if it meant surrendering to it. Father Wagener died April 17, 2004. He was 50 years old.