Deadline

By: Chris Crutcher

Perspective:

A high school senior with an undisclosed “terminal blood disease.”

Overall impressions:

I have had this post in my drafts for months. It’s hard to truly say what to make of this book. This book is not about having an illness, but more about keeping a very big secret and the consequences that it can have. Sure, it’s an interesting read and a well written story but for bibliotherapy purposes it isn’t great. In fact, the lack of information it provides regarding Ben’s medical condition coupled with the manner the plot plays out could in fact make it a dangerous read for many teens with cancer or other serious illnesses.

Summary and Review:

Ben Wolf is a previously healthy athlete and senior in high school who is suddenly diagnosed with what is only referred to as a “terminal blood disease.” He refuses treatment and also convinces his doctor not to tell his parents or family members about his medical condition. He is “conveniently” 18 (conveniently because he has just started his senior year of high school and most people do not turn 18 until January or later of their senior year) and can make his own health decisions without parental consent. Because very little info is given about his medical condition, possible treatment plans, and prognosis at the time of diagnosis it would be very confusing for someone to decide whether he made an informed decision and how that could apply to their own life.

Not only does he make this decision on his own, but he then hides it from the people he loves: his family, his friends, his coaches, his teachers, etc. He sees a therapist who at one point “quits” because she cannot handle the burden of his secret. He goes along in life helping others through their own significant life challenges (being sexually abused, homelessness and alcoholism, and the mental illness of his mother) without thinking  much about how his secret might impact them when he comes to the end of his life. He does finally tell the people in his life about his condition, who become very hurt, but ultimately help him through his final days.

Going back to this being a confusing read for someone actually diagnosed with a serious illness though, this book is hauntingly similar to a recent case in the news about a 17 year old girl who tried to refuse treatment for a cancer diagnosis that had a relatively good prognosis. I understand that treatment is never a sure cure, however, without information given to find out more about Ben Wolf’s prognosis, it leaves an ambiguity that may make the reader think “What if I did that?” Granted, most teenagers, as the girl in the recent news, do not have the legal power to make that decision, but that can make it very difficult for others to try to help them do so when they have a good prognosis. Thinking about adolescent development for a moment, we know that thoughts of invulnerability and risk taking behavior are common for this age group. It wouldn’t be far off to think that a teenager may have this same thought process after reading this novel.

In addition, for someone with a “terminal blood disorder,” Ben Wolf lead a relatively normal life for close to a year without any sort of treatment whatsoever. He is able to play football for an entire season without showing signs of fatigue and in fact is able to play much better than he was able to prior to his illness. For one, that timeline without any visible signs of illness seems improbable. When caught in the wrong mind set, this year timeline could also seem much longer than it is in reality. The fact that he is able to then “live in the moment” and accomplish so many things he was never able to do also makes it seem like a fantasy come true that might be too enticing for those teens stuck in an “adolescent egocentrism” frame of mind.

Recommended for/Not Recommended For:

Honestly, I would never recommend this to a patient. It’s potential benefit is in no way worth the risk of the detrimental effects it could potentially have on a patient’s psyche. However, it is a good read for healthcare professionals or teachers working with teens with serious or chronic illnesses as food for thought both from an ethical end of life standpoint and a differential treatment standpoint.