Abstract
Possibly the most important thing the author learned from the many terminally ill patients with whom she talked was that they wanted to talk with someone. And she tells us of the stages through which these patients pass: from "No, not me!" through "Why me?" and "Yes, me, but ..." to the simple "Yes, me." If we're aware of these stages-if we can accept, understand, and be comfortable with each one-then we can truly help the dying patient.