Step 10: Consider End-of-Life Matters

Somtimes depiste your best efforts and the skill and caring of your medical team, your cancer simply cannot be controlled. This is a hard time and logical thinking seems irrelevant. However to take care of your loved ones, it's important to take the time to deal with end-of-life matters.

These include legal decisions, quality of life choices, logistics and, most importantly, making sure you tell those for whom you care how you feel. Ideally this should be done early on, when you are first diagnosed. That way, you have the energy to deal with some difficult decisions and planning. You may end up not needing some of these things, but if you take care of end-of-life matters early, you will have peace of mind knowing your family is cared for in the event that your cancer turns out to be terminal.

There are many things to consider and plan for at the end of your life. Some of these are:
Tying up legal, financial and insurance issues

Telling people where everything is: legal documents, insurance, letters
You may assume your spouse or children know where your important information is located; you may have even shown them at an earlier date. Even so, it is vital to write down everything you want your family to find and where it is located. The emotional impact of your disease or just forgetfulness can lead them to miss important documents. Make sure and include all legal documents, insurance information, letters to family members, and any other important papers or memorabilia.