Having a serious illness will bring about changes. Learning what is likely to happen and how things could change can reduce anxiety. Understanding may help to make important decisions. This could be whether to keep working, whether this is the right time to take a special trip, or to make contact with people who are important.

It is sometimes helpful to have information to read and think about, or to discuss with other family members. Each individual should seek the type and amount of information that is needed to make them feel comfortable. Health professionals can provide information on local resources.

Changes may occur in all aspects of life. There are some physical changes that may have to be managed such as pain, and other symptoms like tiredness or loss of appetite. People often also have to deal with changing feelings and emotions such as feeling overwhelmed. It could also mean adjusting to 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 to the disease or treatment. This means that a disease may progress slowly or it may progress quite quickly. The changes or deterioration associated with the disease could begin gradually or they might start more suddenly.

Knowing what to expect may help to make decisions about what is happening now and what is important now. This can also mean being prepared for decisions that need to be made when someone is nearing the end of their life.

Information in this section looks at:
Course of illness
Quality of life
 

This page was created on 26 May 2009 and is due for review in May 2011