Terminal Illness: A disease that cannot be cured or adequately treated and that is reasonably expected to result in the death of the patient within a relatively short period of time.

3 Stages Of Acceptance:

* Disbelief – Shock, despair, and anger are common.  There is also guilt that perhaps one has done something wrong to receive such a diagnosis.  Some find it humorous.  Others become helpless.  The first stage is often short lived and usually lasts a few days to a few weeks.

* Depression – Mild to moderate in intensity and needs family support.  In rare cases is any type of medial therapy required.  Duration of depression can last several weeks.

* Acceptance

Death grows near, I can smell the stench

as it passes through the room and

finally comes to linger here … waiting.

The time is not yet right.  Perhaps,

it will not be tonight, but soon

I fear it will come to pass no more.

I hear it knocking loud upon life’s door

gaining strength each day as I fade away

slowly becoming a mere skeleton of that

which I was before.  I know that there is

but limited time to speak of dreams gone by

so as I cry for things I will never be, I

beg of you … please … never forget me.

Never let it be said that my life meant

nothing to those that have known me. Only

in nothingness will I find true death. Please

remember each breath that whispered kind

words or each touch that showed love.  This 

that lies before you, is not who I am.  For in

death, that which I am will live within you.