Bill momentarily froze, eyes unfixed, breathless, thoughtless.

He had forgotten all about his visit to the geneticist last week. He went to see his physician, Dr. Kenmore, about four weeks back. Bill was experiencing recurrent headaches and neck spasms. His physician gave him the standard stress test that revealed an elevated blood pressure, but nothing that called for concern. However, as a precaution, Dr. Kenmore wanted Bill to see a colleague for a genetic screening. Bill figured his headaches were simply stress related, and he assured his physician it would pass as soon as he closed an upcoming business deal. Grudgingly, Bill went to see Dr. Kenmore’s colleague, a geneticist, and after several unpleasant, but minimally invasive, medical procedures, the physician sent Bill on his way.

And now something was seriously wrong.

Bill called the hospital and arranged to see his physician. Bill sat in the waiting room only four minutes before Dr. Kenmore tersely greeted him and lead him into a private office. Bill was alarmed. Dr. Kenmore delicately informed Bill that he had tested positive for Huntington’s chorea: a rare, genetic disease characterized by progressive degeneration of the central nervous system, usually fatal in 10-15 years.