The first documented use of "Your QoL Chart" occurred in 2016 when Dyan, a theatrical director and  creator of "Routes for Youth" and the nationally acclaimed, Sonoma County Probation Department's "Teen Court," found a growth on her tongue.   Her GP diagnosed the growth as an adenocarcinoma tumor and referred her to a surgical specialist.  She filled out "Your QoL Chart" and shared it with the Department Chief, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, at a large, Northern California Hospital, who was her surgeon.  They discussed the chart for a few minutes and the surgeon scheduled Dyan for surgery the next Wednesday.

After anesthetizing Dyan on the table, he entered her mouth, ready to remove the tumor.  Within seconds the doctor withdrew from her mouth and stopped the procedure.  When she awoke, the doctor explained that if he had cut her, she would have lost too many of the important qualities of life that were on her chart.  He then recommended that she have chemo and radiation therapies.

That was the first time we had heard about a surgeon not completing a surgery because of a patient's quality of life.  Dyan gave the Chief Surgeon a copy of "Everybody Needs A Hippo," and after reading it, he  wrote  Dyan,  "Wow!  That was quite powerful and representative of what most of my patients go through.  I think this can be a really useful tool for patients and providers.  Really great work!"