The Five Stages of Grief.....

 The stages are:

Denial — "I feel fine."; "This can't be happening, not to me." , “That can’t be happening to mum or dad, they have always been healthy”, “That doctor doesn’t know what they’re talking about”

Denial is the issue that most people have the most issues with....this is where family members will distance themselves and not be involved...because it will then make the diagnosis real. Denial affects both sufferers and family....I personally was never in denial...I could tell something was wrong, but Jack never did...Some family members are still in denial..

Anger — "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; '"Who is to blame?"

Anger is where the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue. Because of anger, the person is very difficult to care for due to misplaced feelings of rage and envy. For me my anger was because we were newly empty nesters living overseas...and start doing all those things we wanted to do as a couple again...I see a lot of people angry at the disease...to what point?

Bargaining — "I'll do anything for a few more years."; "I will give my life savings if..."

Bargaining involves the hope that the individual can somehow postpone or delay the inevitable. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made with a higher power in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. Psychologically, the individual is saying, "I understand whats happening, but if I could just do something to buy more time..." For me this was getting Jack into research programs hoping for a miracle cure.

Depression — "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die soon so what's the point... What's the point?"; "I miss my loved one, why go on?"

Depression the person begins to understand the inevitability. Because of this, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time crying and grieving. This process allows the person to disconnect from things of love and affection. It is not recommended to attempt to cheer up an individual who is in this stage. It is an important time for grieving that must be processed.

Acceptance — "It's going to be okay."; "I can't fight it, I may as well prepare for it."

Acceptance, individuals begin to come to terms with whats happening.