“I’d like to talk about what is ahead with your illness and do some thinking in advance about what is important to you so that I can make sure we provide you with the care you want — is this okay?”

“What is your understanding now of where you are with your illness?”

“How much information about what is likely to be ahead with your illnesswould you like from me?”

“I want to share with you my understanding of where things are with your illness...”

Uncertain: “It can be difficult to predict what will happen with your illness. I hope you will continue to live well for a long time but I’m worried that you could get sick quickly, and I think it is important to prepare for that possibility.”
OR

Time: “I wish we were not in this situation, but I am worried that time may be as short as ___ (express as a range, e.g. days to weeks, weeks to months, months to a year).”
OR