As people become increasingly unwell, they need to adjust how they are feeling and what is happening. If you are aware of the sorts of things that you may be facing, it can make it easier to be prepared.

There are some changes that you may have to deal with and manage such as pain and other symptoms. This could include increasing tiredness or a loss of appetite. You may also have to deal with changing feelings and emotions such as feeling overwhelmed. It could also mean adjusting to various gradual losses such as losing some mobility or independence.

Two people with the same disease will not necessarily have the same treatments or respond in the same way. This may mean that sometimes a disease progresses slowly or quite quickly, or that any changes or deterioration could be progressive or could occur suddenly.

Knowing what to expect may help you make decisions about what is happening to you now and what is important to you now. You can also be prepared for end-of-life-decisions.

When you are unwell, friends, family and colleagues may have difficulty in knowing what to say. They may need to find out about illness and palliative care. There is information they may find helpful in the CareSearch Families and Friends section.

 This page was created on 26 March 2007 and is due for review in March 2009