Myrtle Beach Woman with Rare, Terminal Cancer Looks at Life’s Purpose
MYRTLE BEACH, SC – Lauri Potridge Doss used to be a typical Myrtle Beach woman dealing with diabetes until a routine lab test turned her life upside down. Lauri was given a rare and terminal diagnosis – Neuroendocrine Tumors, something only six in every 100,000 people get. Despite the grim news, Doss maintains a unique positivity and perspective, viewing her situation as a precious gift showing her what really matters in life.
The Unenviable Diagnosis
“She ordered a CAT scan and a blood transfusion. And before I could ever get the transfusion, the doctor told me I had terminal and inoperable cancer,” Lauri recalls. Her family was shocked by the news, rushing to her side, but she remained brave and quickly shifted her focus to the battle ahead.
She directed her energy towards chemotherapy in the hope of buying more time. Not one to lament her situation, Doss kept her spirits up with a unique combination of humor and determination. “Obviously there was shock. My husband was with me, and we cried for about 5 minutes, and I said ‘Okay, what’s next?’ You can get through more than you think you can. It’s the old saying ‘You do what you have to do.’ So, you know, try to do it in the best humor as possible and go on.”
Jokes and Authenticity Amidst Struggle
Doss continues to live life in a way that is consistent with who she’s always been – a vibrant and spirited woman who loves to joke around. Even when discussing her diagnosis with medical staff, Doss lightened up the conversation with humor. “My husband will ask me something, and I’ll be like ‘No, I have cancer.’ Even at the hospital, the nurse asked me to do something, and I said, ‘What’s going to happen if I don’t, are you going to give me cancer?'”, she chuckles.
Her spirit of cheerfulness continued while discussing her funeral planning, “At the end, I think I want to play ‘Build Me Up, Buttercup,’ and somebody shoot off a cannon of white feathers. You think of that song and the beat, you can’t be sad.”
A Grandmother’s Worry and Determination
Despite her optimism, there is one matter that brings Doss to tears – her grandson, with whom she shares her birthday. “I have a grandson whose birthday is the same day as mine. And I worry about future years after I die, how he’s ever going to have a happy birthday.”
Doss’s major goal is to stick around long enough for her eight grandkids to remember her. “I keep telling myself, well, I’ve got two to three years… But I’m very stubborn, and if there’s any way possible for me to see those babies long enough for them to remember me, that’s what’s going to happen,” she shared.
Life’s Real Purpose
Lauri believes that her situation has provided her with a new perspective on life and its meaning. “The nicest car, the nicest house, whatever, and let me tell you from where I’m sitting, those things aren’t very important.”
She feels a need to share her new insights with the world, “I feel like I’m obligated to tell as many people as I can about God. I just do.”, adding, “Our purpose here is to love each other. That, to her, is ultimately the most important thing.”
Despite the severity of her circumstance, Lauri Doss considers her situation as a gift, allowing her to express her love and affections freely. She underscores her journey with a powerful sentiment, “There are no ends, there are only beginnings.”
Source: HERE News Network
Author: HERE News
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
