Phases of a Life-Threatening Illness
Understanding how other people cope with a life-threatening illness may help
the patient and his or her family prepare to cope with their own illness. A
life-threatening illness may be described as having the following 4 phases:
The phase before the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness is the period of
time just before the diagnosis when a person realizes that he or she may
develop an illness. This phase is not usually a single moment, but extends
throughout the period when the person has a physical examination, including
various tests, and ends when the person is told of the diagnosis.
The acute phase occurs at the time of the diagnosis when a person is forced to
understand the diagnosis and make decisions about his or her medical care.
The chronic phase is the period of time between the diagnosis and the result of
treatment. It is the period when a patient tries to cope with the
demands of life while also undergoing treatment and coping with the side
effects of treatment. In the past, the period between a cancer diagnosis and
death usually lasted only a few months, and this time was usually spent in the
hospital. Today, people can live for years after being diagnosed with cancer.
In the recovery phase, people cope with the mental, social, physical,
religious, and financial effects of cancer.
The final (terminal) phase of a life-threatening illness occurs when death is
likely. The focus changes from curing the illness or prolonging life, to
providing comfort and relief from pain. Religious concerns are often the focus
during this time.
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