It is natural to feel shocked angry scared sad or relieved or a combination of these emotions.

How to talk to terminal cancer patients. This gives your friend the sense that you are really present and listening carefully. Try to hear and understand how they feel. Body language can be telling even when someone is no longer able to verbally communicate pain.

Be prepared to listen. Then a month ago things suddenly turned dramatically south. People living with a terminal diagnosis can sometimes feel as if the person they were before has been completely swallowed by their illness.

Dont make light judge or try to change the way they feel or act. Ask the person with cancer if they would like to talk about the experience. How can I help my loved one cope with a terminal illness.

How everyone responds may depend on their relationship with the person dying and their own beliefs about death. Try to treat someone who is dying as normally as possible and chat about whats happening in your life. If the patient has trouble swallowing pain pills ask about getting liquid pain medicines or a pain patch.

Remember theres no correct way to react to a diagnosis of terminal cancer. Let the person know that youre willing to listen and never underestimate the value of your presence. A friend of mine has been living well with lung cancer for five years working running several miles a day traveling doing good stuff with his family and generally enjoying the pleasures of everyday life.

Cancer care nurse Josette Snyder RN MSN AOCN says there is such a thing as cancer etiquette Cancer etiquette is interacting with someone with cancer in friendly empathetic and appropriate ways. Show support without words. If the patient is having trouble swallowing do not give them solid foods.