Make Your Way 7, Schulbuch mit Audio-CD und CD-ROM

Reading Read the article below, then decide whether the statements (1–7) are true (T) or false (F). Justify your answer by quoting the first four words of the sentence in which you found the information. The first one (0) has been done for you. 20 It was a regular Monday evening. I was feeling a bit weak. I blamed it on being out in the sun for too long a period of time. It was about seven o’clock when the phone rang. It was my doctor and lifetime confidant, Rick. Rick just didn’t seem himself that night: he was groggy and seemed troubled. I asked him jokingly why he was calling and then told him several jokes about dying of a rare disease. It was at this point that I knew that something was wrong. Rick then proceeded to tell me my brief and boring medical history. By this point I was eager to hear what he had to say. Finally, he laid it on the line to me. I had cancer and it was terminal. Talk about a mouthful! The days that immediately followed were difficult ones. The reactions varied from person to person. Dad told me to be strong and reassured me that he was there for me. Mom decided not to believe the doctors, and still doesn’t believe the cause of my “little weakness” spells. Joe, my boyfriend, was shocked. He didn’t know what to say, which hurt me even more. I felt ostracised by my family and friends. Everyone said that they were concerned, but didn’t have the slightest clue what to do. I didn’t, and still don’t, know what to do. I know I need some answers, fast! I began to rationalise, I thought things like, “Oh it can’t be so bad,” or, “God, I’m glad that at least I was informed.” Can it really be “not that bad” or can I be happy to know my approximate, if you will pardon the expression, “deadline”? Through my long walks and periods of silence, I came to the point where it was necessary to acknowledge the realistic nature of the cancer, and the final outcome it presented: I was going to die. In my mind I knew that dealing with death was a very necessary factor, but my “gut” feeling was, “Heather, you still have faith and hope to hold on to.” I knew through my Death and Dying course what I could do to help myself: I had to deal with it. In helping myself, I was, to a point, admitting defeat. I don’t lose easily, ask anyone I have had the chance to compete with. I’m a sore loser in both a game of basketball and the unending game of life. Life seems so precious to me now. In a way I am thankful that I finally got my priorities straightened out, and realised that fulfilment doesn’t come with designer jeans, fast cars and cute guys. Fulfilment, for me, is making the best of the situation, accepting it, and loving every precious moment I am given. It was a regular Monday evening … 104 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv