NEVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU "THERE'S NO HOPE!"

You or a loved one might get a horrible diagnosis or be told, after months of treatment, "There's no hope."  If this is the case, change doctors!  Some docs might be skilled with their hands, or be highly intelligent, but if they lack compassion and sensitivity, especially at such a difficult time in your life, then it's important, both physically and psychologically, that you find one that knows how to offer you hope in some small way.
   Deirdre Felton wrote an excellent article in one of my professional magazines on this very topic:  "The most important element [in talking to people at a difficult time in their lives] is to give someone the gift of hope.  There are all kinds: hope for a cure, hope for remission and if that's not in the cards, there is hope that we can take care of your pain. There is hope that relationships can be healed.  There is hope that when the time comes, you will have people around you who will care for you with dignity and compassion."  Surround yourself with people who believe in the power of hope.  Don't let anyone take that power away from you!