Chapter 1: Exploring feelings while living with a serious diagnosis
Fear
What was going to happen to my husband? What was going to happen to me and the kids? I was so scared.
The diagnosis of a life-limiting illness creates a variety of thoughts and feelings for the person who is ill and their friends and family members. It is normal and natural for the person and their family to fear both what the diagnosis means and what they might expect as their disease advances. Many questions arise at the time of diagnosis. This is a common and normal reaction to a life-changing event. Click the arrows to view some common questions.
What should we expect?
What does this mean for our family?
Will there be pain?
Will the person be treated with dignity?
Will the person be treated with dignity?
Many people find it difficult to talk about their fears, especially when they feel vulnerable.
What may help
Reaching out to a social worker, counsellor, spiritual care provider, or cultural or religious support person may be helpful.
It can also help to take some time to absorb the information and be with trusted friends and family members.
Sometimes getting trusted information about the illness can be helpful. However, some people wish to know a lot about their illness while others may only want to know a little. The person’s wishes must be respected.
Helpful resourcesCaregiver module series: Module 7: Recognizing symptoms to assess comfort and care
