negative, then great: we`re finished. If it`s positive, if it is a melanoma, we`ll remove the

most suspicious node or, if necessary, do a multiple node resection. No hospitalization

required—the whole procedure will be done in the surgery center. I`m pretty sure no skin

graft will be needed, and, at most, you miss only a day of work. But you`ll feel some

discomfort at the surgical site for a few days. Nothing else to say now until we learn more

from the biopsy. As you asked, I`ll take care of you. Trust my judgment on this; I`ve been

involved with hundreds of these cases. Okay? My nurse will call you later today with all

the details about time and place and prep instruction. Okay?»

Julius nodded. They both rose.

«I`m sorry,” Bob said, «I wish I could spare you all, this but I can`t.» He held out a

folder of reading material. «I know you may not want this stuff, but I always distribute it

to patients in your situation. Depends on the person: some are comforted by information,

others would rather not know and just toss it on the way out of the office. Hope after the

surgery to tell you something brighter.»

But there was never to be anything brighter—the later news was darker yet. Three

days after the biopsy procedure, they met again. «Do you want to read this? said Bob,

holding out the final pathologist`s report. Seeing Julius shake his head, Bob scanned the

report again and began: «Okay let`s go over it. I gotta tell you: it`s not good. Bottom line

is that itis a melanoma and it has several...uh...notable characteristics: it`s deep, over

four millimeters, ulcerated, and there are five positive nodes.»

«Meaning? Come on, Bob, don`t talk around this. ‘Notable,` four millimeters,

ulcerated, five nodes? Be straight. Talk to me as if I were a layman.»