I absolutely agree with you about doctors being honest with terminally ill patients (Blog: Facing a Grave Illness). I lost a good friend almost 2 years ago to pancreatic cancer. When she told me her diagnosis, I was devastated. I knew pancreatic cancer was almost always fatal. Patrick Swazey had just died from it. But she told me her doctor said her prognosis was good! I was skeptical, but I figured her doctor knew better than me. And I certainly wasn't going to tell her "Oh, get real. You're gonna die." Or maybe he was honest with her and she was just putting on a happy face for friends and family.

I've seen this with other friends with cancer as well. Nobody ever says "I'm dying." They always claim doctors say the prognosis is good.

Last October, my sister was diagnosed with lung cancer and was told she had 6 months to live. She's exceeded that, but the family understands her time is limited. I've made an extra effort to go visit even though it's painful for me because I realize her time is limited. If her doctors were saying she was "good," I can honestly say I wouldn't make the effort.

If I only have 6 months to live, I want to know! I'm cashing in my 401K and going to Europe before it's too late. I'm having dessert. And I'm never setting foot in the gym. But that's just me. I would be furious if I were told I had a "good prognosis" and spent months in chemo only to find out that I never had a chance to begin with.

Merrie