He or she inevitably learns the truth. The consequences can be deep anger, hurt, or bitterness. The patient might believe that no one is being honest about the diagnosis because the cancer is terminal. Then each ends up suffering alone, with thoughts and feelings locked within. Even children sense the truth.
Children have amazing capabilities when they understand a situation.
However, when their normal world is turned upside down and whispered conversations go on behind closed doors, they often imagine situations that are worse than reality. This is especially true if the child is going through a period of testing parental authority or in some other way is in disagreement with family members. Children, especially young ones, tend to view themselves as the center of the universe and see many situations only in direct relationship to themselves. The children's ages and emotional maturity should suggest what and how much to disclose. It might help to realize that including the children, among those who know, comforts them by confirming their belief that something is amiss within the family.