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"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;We don\u2019t like to talk about terminal cancer. The term alone can bring tears and the feeling of loss of hope.\u00A0Yet even if you are given this diagnosis there is hope. What can help you cope and restore hope at the end of life?&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Exactly Does it Mean if Cancer is Terminal?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;It&amp;amp;#39;s important to first define what is meant when a cancer is terminal. While definitions vary, deciding that a diagnosis is terminal usually means that cancer cannot be cured\u00A0and that there is a limited amount of time left to live. In a hospice setting, this may be defined as 6 months, but could be shorter or longer. Another way of defining a cancer diagnosis as terminal\u00A0is when a time comes when the side effects of treatments designed to prolong life outweigh the benefits of these treatments.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Stating that a cancer is terminal does not mean that all treatment stops. Rather, it often means that instead of focusing on treatments meant to cure cancer or prolong life, treatments instead focus on providing comfort and the best quality of life possible during the time that is left.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Tips for Coping with Terminal Cancer&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Below are some tips that have helped some people deal with a diagnosis of terminal cancer. Just as everyone is different, you may find some of these tips to be helpful, whereas others do not meet your specific needs. In addition, just as there are many stages of grief that don&amp;amp;#39;t necessarily occur in order some of these tips may be helpful one day but not another.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Add a Dose of Humor&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A dear friend of mine found humor to be a mainstay of her last days with cancer. She asked friends to email her funny sayings and quotations, to send funny cards\u00A0and bring her funny videos to watch. She found that laughter not only helped her cope with each day\u00A0but decreased her pain significantly as well. \u00A0It&amp;amp;#39;s important to be sensitive if you have a loved one coping with this diagnosis\u00A0and to be forgiving of yourself if you are coping with your own terminal diagnosis. There will be days when you don&amp;amp;#39;t want to laugh. There will be days when you need to express your grief and days when the last thing you need is for anyone to suggest that you be &amp;amp;#34;positive.&amp;amp;#34; Still - opening your heart to the power of laughter and humor.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Designate a Family Member or Friend as Your Spokesman &amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;It can be incredibly draining to continuously answer questions about how you are doing, not to speak of explaining the choices you have made or not made about treatment. Think of a like-minded person amidst your family and friends. Preferably someone strong, who can speak your wishes for you when you don&amp;amp;#39;t feel strong enough yourself. Think of someone who is flexible (it&amp;amp;#39;s hard to predict when you may need their support) and someone who doesn&amp;amp;#39;t mind fielding calls, sending off emails, and updating your Caring Bridge site if you have one.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Surround Yourself with Like-Minded and Positive\u00A0People&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Let\u2019s face it. We all have people in our lives who we enjoy, and people we basically just tolerate. When you are told you are terminal, family and friends may come out of the woods hoping to see you one last time. I&amp;amp;#39;ve often heard people with a terminal diagnosis expressing fear that they will offend loved ones by standing firm when they don&amp;amp;#39;t want visitors or need time alone. There is nothing wrong with being true to your needs and feelings. There is nothing selfish about wishing to spend time only with those people who lift your spirits. It may help to take some time and discuss the people in your life with your spokesperson, and talk about ways to gently but firmly set the boundaries you need in order to surround yourself with those people who will help you enjoy your last days to the fullest.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Check out these tips on &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/how-to-keep-a-positive-attitude-with-cancer-2248819&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;keeping a positive attitude with cancer&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, while remembering that you don&amp;amp;#39;t always have to be positive. Surround yourself with positive people who allow you to be yourself and express your negative feelings about cancer as well.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Live in the Present &amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;I&amp;amp;#39;m as guilty as anyone when it comes to spending too much time living in the past or the future. In fact, I&amp;amp;#39;ve heard from a few people in the last stages of cancer that in one way it is freeing. Not having an anticipated long future has freed them to live in the present - the only time that any of us really have. We can&amp;amp;#39;t change the past, no matter how much of the present we spend fretting about it.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Review Decisions and Options&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;When you are given a terminal diagnosis, the diagnosis affects your entire network of family and friends. Fearing your loss, tempers can erupt and disagreements occur between family members. Although this is stressful, it is very normal. We all cope with sad news in different ways. It is extremely common for family members to encourage just one more treatment. Or perhaps an alternative treatment or travel to Germany. The first thing is to understand what YOU want. Taking a short while to listen to your well-meaning friends and family members demonstrates your respect for their caring. But after that, your loved ones need to let you make your own choices and respect you. Perhaps &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/importance-of-a-second-opinion-with-lung-cancer-2248908&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;getting a second opinion&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; or checking out one of the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/finding-clinical-trials-for-lung-cancer-treatment-2249326&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;clinical trial matching services&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; will help your loved ones reach the stage you are now at in acceptance.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/when-should-you-stop-cancer-treatment-2249017&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;When Should You Stop Cancer Treatment? \u00A09 Things to Consider&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Facing Fears &amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Fear can be paralyzing when you hear that your diagnosis is terminal. \u00A0You may be worried about pain. \u00A0Are you afraid of death? \u00A0What will happen to your family? And one of the greatest fears, the fear of dying alone. Taking time to bring these fears out of your subconscious, may help them seem more manageable and less frightening.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/scared-to-death-of-death-1132501&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Fear of Death and Dying&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/is-death-painful-managing-end-of-life-pain-2249014&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;6&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Is Death Painful? - Managing End of Life Pain&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-to-expect-in-the-final-stages-of-lung-cancer-2249015&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;7&amp;quot;&amp;gt;What Can You Expect in the Final Stages of Cancer?&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Thank Your Loved Ones For Supporting You &amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;It seems like talking about saying thank you would not be worth mentioning. Of course, you feel gratitude towards those who have helped you. I add this not as something you need to do for others, but for yourself. Of course, your loved ones know you love them and are grateful for your presence in their life. Yet, in talking to many people near death, the questions recur. \u00A0&amp;amp;#34;Will my loved ones know how much they meant to me.&amp;amp;#34; &amp;amp;#34;Will my loved ones know how much I loved them?&amp;amp;#34; I have listened to people nearly panic, worrying that they have left a word unsaid and or deed left without a thank you. \u00A0Perhaps take a few moments with your spokesperson and write a note to your loved ones doing nothing other than saying &amp;amp;#34;Thank You&amp;amp;#34; and &amp;amp;#34;I Love You.&amp;amp;#34; Yes, your loved ones know. But when you wake up questioning at 2 am and drenched, you can go back to sleep knowing that yes, you took an extra moment to say those words.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Express Yourself&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;If there is something you wish to say, don&amp;amp;#39;t be afraid to express yourself. \u00A0You don&amp;amp;#39;t have to be &amp;amp;#34;brave&amp;amp;#34; despite obituaries that seem to praise ignoring your true feelings.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Be Prepared to Say You are Sorry&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;If you in pain, perhaps frustrated at a delayed diagnosis or the limits of medical care, and mourning the life they had hoped for that will never be, you may need to express your anger. As it happens that anger is usually \u201Cdumped\u201D on those who are doing the most and loving the most. Taking a moment to say you are sorry may help your loved ones move on more comfortably in the days that follow.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Tying up Fractured Relationships &amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;When you are told you are terminal, you may feel a need to resolve differences in relationships. Sometimes this is possible, other times, it is not. \u00A0Is there someone you wish you could talk to for a moment?&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Celebrating Your Life&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Some people wish to play in active role in playing their life celebration (funeral) while others are not interested at all. There isn\u2019t a right or wrong and family and friends need to respect your choice \u2013 for example, if they wish you to make recommendations if you don\u2019t want to \u2013 or if you want to talk about your funeral but tell you, but many people feel joy in contributing to this last service. \u00A0It may be in choosing your favorite songs. Perhaps, in sharing memories and expressing a wish for certain moments to be included in a eulogy. One friend of mine asked for helium balloons to be released at the graveside --- so her children could focus on the balloons \u201Cheading for heaven\u201D rather than their father\u2019s body being lowered into the ground.\u00A0&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/how-to-plan-a-funeral-or-memorial-service-3897584&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;8&amp;quot;&amp;gt;7 Steps to Plan a Funeral or Memorial Service&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Finding Hope When You Have Terminal Diagnosis Cancer&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;How do you find hope in your last days? \u00A0I typical dictionary definition of hope refers to the wish or desire that something good will happen. A terminal diagnosis changes that, but there is still hope. \u00A0You may:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Hope for joy in your last days&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Hope for comfort&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Hope for the next life and reuniting with loved ones&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Hope for blessings for your children and loved ones who will remain after you are gone.&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Hope for your family&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;\u00A0&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Hope for the world&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;.\u00A0&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Many people find hope in what comes after death. The &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/where-does-rip-come-from-1132136&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;9&amp;quot;&amp;gt;following article&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; discusses this from the standpoint of religion.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;And whether or not your beliefs fall into these categories, many people find comfort in reading the stories of those who have had near-death experiences, the experiences of hospice nurses in hearing about those who are dying being &amp;amp;#34;visited&amp;amp;#34; by relatives gone before, and the stories of others who have witnessed events that bring assurance about an afterlife. My personal favorite is a collection of stories &amp;amp;#34;Forever Ours: Real Stories of Immortality and Living Written by a Forensic Pathologist&amp;amp;#34; shared by Janis Amatuzio, a pathologist who has shared stories that family members have shared with her over the years, stories that have brought comfort to many.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Sources:&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;National Cancer Institute. End of Life Care for People Who Have Cancer. Updated 03/10/12. &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/advanced-cancer/care-choices/care-fact-sheet&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;10&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/advanced-cancer/care-choices/care-fact-sheet&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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