This is a rare example Gawande provides of a doctor being realistic with her patient. Only by helping him confront his mortality, rather than simply focusing on extending his survival time, is he able to have a meaningful end-of-life. And while it is difficult to acknowledge a loved one’s impending death, the family also ultimately realizes how valuable it was to have a meaningful final month with their son. In this way, the doctor focused on the patient’s well-being, not just health.