and as my father's friends began dying, he always commented that Americans are particularly unable to discuss the reality that death is occurring.

He would visit friends who were dying and open the conversation, one he claimed they seemed very glad to have. It must be surreal, to be dying, and unable to discuss the most profound passage of our lives with those closest to us. We need to make each other comfortable: the dying and their loved ones equally.

My cancer is a relatively recent event. Although it's not a curable one, I expect to have some years with various chemo agents. Still, things do take on a different hue - not all bad by any means - and it's an important conversation to have.