Л И Ч Н О Е МН Е Н И Е © 2012 by American Society of Clinical Oncology Her Wedding Chadi Nabhan From the Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Cancer Care Center, Park Ridge, IL. <...> I reassured her and asked if it would be appropriate for me to evaluate her patient the next morning. <...> She replied fearfully, “I think so,” then went on to describe a 28-year-old woman who had been admitted a few days earlier with abdominal pain and obstructive jaundice. <...> Further evaluation revealed a pancreatic mass and numerous hepatic lesions consistent with metastases; a biopsy confirmed neuroendocrine histology. <...> The intern told me that the patient had just received the news of the biopsy results and mentioned that all of her family members were in her room, anxious to discuss the next steps. <...> Having a concrete plan and understanding more clearly what was ahead might at least ease a few of their fears and allow them Corresponding author: Chadi Nabhan, MD, FACP, Oncology Specialists, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital 1700 Luther Lane, Park Ridge, IL 60068; E-mail: cnabhan@oncmed.net. some sleep. <...> As I entered my new patient's room, I found her lying in bed with two family members sitting on either side. <...> I introduced myself, and the patient and her family thanked me for coming in so late to talk with them. <...> I sat down and started discussing the basic facts about her disease and I noted that although her tumor was incurable, the histology might suggest an indolent course. <...> I told her that with treatment, we would likely be able to gain control over the immediate issues of abdominal pain, worsening liver function, and jaundice. <...> I reviewed some of the newer treatments that have been approved for neuroendocrine tumors, and I mentioned that some patients with this type of malignancy live for several years. <...> The young woman I met that night had an excellent early response to initial chemotherapy, with resolution of her jaundice and pain. <...> I wondered how long this honeymoon period of disease <...>