re: What to say to someone with terminal cancer?

Luckily I have never really had to deal with this. But I imagine these people hear a lot of "I'm sorry to hear that, I'll keep you in my prayers, etc." and if I were them, I'd probably get tired of hearing that.

No idea if it's appropriate for your relationship with this guy, but hell, why not ask him if he has a bucket list, and offer to help him complete something?

Most guys that are facing something like this end up not having anybody to talk to because all of his friends stay away from him because they don't know what to say. He ends up being lonely and more depressed and he needs human contact. All it would take would be for someone to call him every now and then and ask if he needs anything. Or stop by to visit him. All of his friends should just stop by and visit. He will need his friends in the end. Don't wait until then to say your a friend. LET HIM KNOW NOW WHO HIS FRIENDS ARE.

"Man up"

As someone who has lost both parents, a sister, all 4 grandparents to cancer, a good friend, and a co-worker, there really is not much you can say. Each had his/her own way of handling it & with family it is a lot different. But for my friend & fellow employee, I simply offered my prayers and my ears if they ever needed to just talk.