“Any time anything really bad is happening, I always say ‘it doesn’t matter - it’s not like glioblastoma.’” The agony of slowly watching a parent die from brain cancer is unlike any other. Glioblastoma is a uniquely painful and haunting experience, and siblings Meghan and James McCain know it better than anyone. Their father, former politician John McCain III, died of glioblastoma in 2018, changing their lives forever. James and Meghan join Amber Barbach on Glioblastoma aka GBM to share their experience of losing a parent right before your eyes, and how they live with the grief. 

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Living with grief. Meghan sees her grief as a demon she can’t get rid of and has to live with. “I contain it, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t moments where it’s encompassing my life,” she shares. Over the years, it’s grown softer and quieter, but it still lingers and flares up at weird times. It’s not easy - just easier to handle. “You’ll be great, and then you hear a song that reminds you of them, and all of a sudden you’re like ‘oh, this sucks.’”

Leaning on Meghan for support. Despite his military training and experience, James was a wreck when it came to keeping himself together throughout their father’s last days. Per his own request, a film crew came down to Sedona to capture the end of John McCain’s life and his experience with glioblastoma. Meghan was a fixture in this venture, and her purposeful direction provided a sort of silent support for James to lean on. 

The power of pain as a tool for connection. Pain takes so much from you, but it can also give. For instance, because of Meghan’s experience with glioblastoma, she was able to connect a viewer with the disease with her favorite artist, Taylor Swift. She also got to meet Colin Gerner, a previous guest of AKA GBM and advocate for the disease. “It’s dark, but it’s beautiful,” she says. “Pain can unite us as well, so it wasn’t all bad. This diagnosis… is just the worst; it’s horrible, it’s so hard, and it’s scary, and being able to bond with people over that intensity is a blessing.”

James’ grief journey. It hasn’t been easy recently, especially with his father’s death anniversary coming up later this month. Every day was an obstacle to overcome, and he was already high-strung when, at the worst possible timing, his dog died. Grappling with both losses was too much. “[That] night I was in the laundry room… and I’m bawling,” he shares. “It comes and goes like waves… I don’t think about it, and I think I’m doing great… and then I feel like a sledgehammer hits me, and I fall apart.”

A lesson learned despite, or perhaps due to the tragedy. Watching their father die from glioblastoma brought a deeper perspective to Meghan’s life. Health really is the ultimate blessing, and the things that truly matter are family, friends, and living a purpose-driven life.


What’s Next?
Meghan McCain is a television personality, columnist, and author. James McCain has been accepted to attend OCS and become an officer in U.S. Army Intelligence. They carry on their father’s legacy and memory in their hearts and minds every day. 

As always, the information that is discussed in Glioblastoma AKA GBM is not meant to treat or diagnose any disease. What we and our guests share are personal stories of what has worked for the individuals in question, and should not be taken as medical advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have any questions about your own situation, always consult with your medical provider and healthcare team.