Rodzina w posłudze choremu terminalnie

Abstract

Family is a natural and direct milieu of the ill. Thus it can provide a many-sided help. The boundary situation, caused by an oncological disease in its terminal stage, makes many people look at the closest milieu of the dying man which is his family. It is in the family that all the problems ot the person dying of cancer are centered: the problems of social, medical, psychosocial, spiritual-religious, and cultural nature. They all leave their stamp on that family. On the other hand the family is a natural circle, the last and at the same time the first line of resistance, as there are no social structures or those that exist are insufficient. The confrontation between the existential and spiritual levels most often leads to caring attitudes. They are manifested by an openness to cooperation as regards the basic medical actions, psychical, social, and spiritual support. The family is especially entitled to show full concern in its attendance to the needs of the dying person. The family has a special vocation to give love. This concerns the whole sphere of life of the person in terminal stage. Therefore the relatives who come with their support make an offering, they sacrifice themselves, and should be ready to carry the burden which not all are able to manage. Everything is important here: any act, gesture, sign that are may shed some light on the dark and lonely days of dying.