What were your first reactions after mesothelioma diagnosis?

My first reaction—my immediate reaction—was, that’s the stuff from the TV commercials. After that wore off, things became much more somber. I thought, this is something I’m likely going to die from. That was my viewpoint, and I stayed in that place for at least the next couple of weeks. My wife was mostly silent during that time. She didn’t really know what to do—whether to be comforting, whether to be strong, whether to talk or stay quiet. For the most part, she remained quiet and let me direct the conversation where I wanted it to go.