Arizona Attorney - February 2015

www.azbar.org/AZAttorney 21 FEBRUARY 2015 ARIZONA ATTORNEY frustration of both parties, as the client is not looking for options, but answers—often while having a diminished ability to reason, act reasonably and make sound decisions. Lawyers are trained to look at an issue from all angles, explore all options and present viable alternatives, but this analysis flies in the face of what clients are looking for during stressful times.

Clients need answers, leadership and decision-making in times of need, not issues, concerns and more unanswered questions. Keep this in mind when dealing with your client’s issues.

Kathy returned home in early June and has not spent a night in the hospital since. Unbelievably, the stem-cell transplant successfully eliminated the leukemic cells, and her brother’s stem cells started producing his cancer-free blood inside her system.

She is a million-dollar walking science project. Her hair returned within several months, and her weight and strength improved so much that I believe she is stronger now than she has been for 10

years. She had a few complications, but nothing that affected her quality of life.

That summer we took a beach vacation, and she peacefully enjoyed the sun, the sand and the food.

My recovery took a little longer. It took a full year before I could unwind and relax. I don’t think I got a good night’s sleep until December of 2009. Soon thereafter, I received a call from my Dad; his diagnosis was lung cancer, and the doctor said he had three months to live. Gradually, we would resume our normal frantic lifestyle, running between soccer and baseball tournaments, sailboat races and ski trips.

Occasionally, a movie line, the smell of
hand sanitizer, or a drive by the hospital
will set off a string of memories and emo-
tions, but for the most part we are back to
thinking about the future.

March 23, 2014, marked Kathy’s fifth anniversary—or “birthday,” as the hospital staff refers to it. Every day she remains cancer-free, her life expectancy increases exponentially, and when she survived her five-year anniversary she reversed those ugly odds we originally faced. Our family celebrated quietly over dinner, counting our blessings and reviewing our plans. With a little foresight and planning, your family and clients will be better prepared to address unexpected emergencies. I know my family is, and I hope yours will be too. AZ AT