Most patients respond to the awareness that they have a terminal illness with the statement "Oh no, this can't happen to me. " After the first shock, numbness, and need to deny the reality of the situation, the patient begins to send out hints that he is ready to "talk about it". If we, at that point, need to deny the reality of the situation, the patient will often feel deserted, isolated, and lonely and unable to communicate with another human being what he needs so desperately to share.
　　Most patients who have passed the stage of denial will become angry as they ask the question, "Why me?" Many look at others in their environment and express envy, jealousy, anger, and rage toward those who are young, healthy, and full of life. These are the patients who make life difficult for nurses, physicians, social workers, clergymen, and members of their families. Without justification they criticize everyone.
　　What we have to learn is that the stage in terminal illness needs a blessing, not a cure. These patients are not angry at their families or at the members of the helping professions. Rather, they are angry at what these people represent: health, spirit, energy.
　　Without being judgmental, we must allow these patients to express their anger and dismay.   We must try to understand that the patients have to ask,"Why me?" and that there is no need on our part to answer this question concretely. Once a patient has voiced his rage and his envy, then he can arrive at the bargaining stage. During this time, he's usually able to say, "Yes, it is happening to me—but. " The but usually includes a prayer to God: "If you give me one more year to live, I will be a good Christian. "

　　26.   The first stage of most patients facing death is the stage of_______.
　　A. anger                                                       B.  denial
　　C.  acceptance                                               D.  cooperation

　　27.   Terminally ill people will get angry and be rude to everyone because_______.
　　A.   they think it is unfair that only they are seriously ill
　　B.   of the progress of their illness
　　C.   they do not want to be a burden to others
　　D.   they can not control their emotions

　　28.   The phrase "a blessing, not a cure" in the third paragraph means_______.
　　A.   terminally ill people cannot be cured as soon as they get to that stage
　　B.   it is the combination of blessing and medical treatment that works
　　C.   terminally ill people should ask God's protection otherwise they can't be cured
　　D.   it is encouragement not medical treatment that is needed at that stage

　　29.   When terminally ill people get angry_______.
　　A.   we should be sympathetic
　　B.   we should allow them to express their emotions
　　C.   we should not reason with them
　　D.   all of the above

　　30.   How many stages can a patient with terminal illness pass through in facing death?
　　A. Two.                                                        B. Three.
　　C.  Four.                                                       D.  Five.

　　答案： 26. B    27. A   28. D   29. D   30. B