Anger

The patient says, "I have done everything right to take care of myself and now this happens. I don't smoke, I exercise, I have never been sick a day in my life, and now this."

Family or caregiver adds, "This was to be our time, the best years of our lives."

Suggestions:
Discuss and empathize. "How can you not be angry? I can listen if you want to talk." (Be certain you feel OK with the depth of this emotion.)

Try not to fix it. Let the person know you are listening by your body language, nodding and expressions of "tell me more."