text: what can you say to a close friend in terminal cancer diagnostic ? my friend is a doctor, and know very realistic his situation, he ingreased to hospital for last time this monday, need to visit him, but not shure what to say, any help would be appreciated. hi,  let him do the talking - as much as he wants;  be there for him.  i found this article to be very good and true.  when i was diagnosed i had people in each of the groups.    http://www.cancerlynx.com/angels_bolters.html  it is very hard to get your mind around "terminal cancer"; it is a huge set of words.  everyone goes through life thinking that they will live to a 100 or so then a guy in a white coat comes in and tells you that your "demise" is right around the corner.    by being there for him, you are helping him;  he will have "lots" of open issues that he want to clean up and he needs to talk to someone;  it may be you, it may not.  as i said,  let him run the conversation.    and remember;  docs can be wrong,  2 years can stretch to 4 and 4 to 8 etc.    here is a resource from hospice net - for the friend of someone who is dieing;  hope it helps  peace be with you and your friend,  jewells 27 months and still here