Doctor, just one more thing." I marvel every time I hear this, nearly always as I reach for the door. It is as though all patients receive copies of the same instructions, perhaps posted somewhere in the waiting room: 1. Wait until your appointment has run over time. 2. Watch until your doctor stands to leave. 3. Ask a question of grave importance that cannot possibly be answered quickly. I released the doorknob. "Yes, sir?" "I was wondering if you had any advice for me on preparing to die. You see, I got a copy of the pathology report and even though my oncologist didn't tell me the prognosis was bad, I did a little of my own research. I learned that 'high grade' and 'poorly differentiated' don't bode well for me. My wife is much younger than I am, and I guess I'm just kind of thinking ahead, you know, for her sake."
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