In the new season of "Alaskan Bush People," Billy Brown confirmed the sad news that his wife Ami is battling stage 3 lung cancer. Last Wednesday's episode showed Billy and Ami discussing the future and the possibility of closing down Browntown for good.
At the time of filming, most of the Brown family members have left the Alaskan wilderness to stay in California, where Ami was seeking medical treatment. Only Matt and Noah were left to supervise things at Browntown, but the family was seriously considering to leave everything behind to rally beside Ami.
This decision was not easy to make, especially for Billy. He told Ami that the Bush is the only place where he felt truly free.
"I don't know how I'm going to live without it," the 64-year-old patriarch said.
Ami could only wipe her tears as she realized that her family's current situation now rested on her condition.
Fans call out Billy for being insensitive
"Alaskan Bush People" fans were not happy with how Billy sounded so insensitive, talking about how devastated he was to leave Browntown when Ami was fighting for her life. Many took to Facebook and Twitter to express their disappointment with how Billy is dealing with his wife's cancer.
Some called Billy "selfish" for ranting about leaving Browntown to his wife, who clearly was not doing so well.
Other harsher fans called Billy a "jerk" for playing the victim card when it is Ami who needs all the support right now.
"Billy is so pitiful since he can't live without the freedom of the bush and needs to remind Ami of his loss and poor state. Oh wait, Ami is fighting cancer and for her life. All she needs is a little guilt to make her feel better.
Billy, you are a jerk," one fan posted on the show's official Facebook page.
At the end of Billy and Ami's conversation in the episode, Ami could only tearfully say, "What else can we do?"
Fans send prayers for Ami
Meanwhile, prayers for Ami have been pouring in from the reality docu's thousands of fans. Discovery Channel created a dedicated page on their website where fans could directly send notes, artworks, and messages to the Brown family in their time of need.
In spite of the debate whether "Alaskan Bush People" is scripted or not, or the point that Discovery may be milking Ami's sickness for ratings, fans are united in one thing: they are all wishing for Ami's recovery.
A photo is currently circulating on social media, showing Billy and Ami inside a vehicle and smiling for the camera. According to the Facebook fan page "Alaskan Bush People Exposed," this is a recent sighting of Ami. Many fans noted that she is looking better and healthier than when Season 7 was filmed three months ago.
The Brown family has yet to give an official update regarding Ami's progress. "Alaskan Bush People" airs every Wednesday, 9 p.m. on Discovery.
