My husband's ENT, when he was delivering the news that the biopsy was in fact cancer, noted that (as I was losing it - husband was still groggy from anesthesia) this was a life-changing experience. The writer part of me noted that that stating the obvious left a bit to be desired from the emotional support standpoint. Luckily, the emotional part was in control, so the writer did not say something unkind to our dear doctor, who was trying his best.