The Cost of Hope: A Journey Through Love, Life, and Loss

The speaker recounts meeting her husband, Terence, and their adventurous life together. They faced a long battle with Terence's aggressive cancer, driven by hope and determination. Despite having advance directives, they continually redefined hope, leading to costly end-of-life care. The speaker reflects on the need for a new narrative that embraces both the fight and the acceptance of death, advocating for a heroic goodbye. She emphasizes that hope is a fundamental human feature, not a flaw.

What was the initial impression the narrator had of the man she met at the party in China?

• He was a Fulbright scholar.

• He was a doctor.

• He was a musician.

• He was a pilot.

What was Terence's profession when the narrator first met him?

• A representative for the American Soybean Association

• A Fulbright scholar

• A Chinese history professor

• A cable car operator

How did the couple initially respond to Terence's cancer diagnosis?

• They ignored it.

• They believed they could overcome it.

• They accepted it as fate.

• They sought immediate hospice care.

What was the outcome of the clinical trial Terence participated in?

• It caused severe side effects.

• It shrank the cancer.

• It had no effect.

• It worsened his condition.

What did the narrator write after Terence's passing?

• A novel about their travels

• A book titled 'The Cost Of Hope'

• A medical journal article

• A biography of Terence

What did the narrator discover about the concept of denial in the context of terminal illness?

• It is a sign of weakness.

• It is a common human emotion.

• It is a medical condition.

• It is easily overcome.

How does the narrator suggest we should view hope in the context of terminal illness?

• As a temporary feeling

• As a hindrance

• As a medical error

• As a feature of being human

What does the narrator propose as a new narrative for dealing with terminal illness?

• A story of defeat

• A story of denial

• A story of endless fighting

• A story of victory and a graceful retreat

Which poet does the narrator reference to illustrate a noble goodbye?

• Emily Dickinson

• Robert Frost

• Constantine Cavafy

• William Shakespeare

What is the narrator's final message about hope in the healthcare system?

• Hope should be eliminated.

• Hope is a flaw in the system.

• Hope should be acknowledged and integrated.

• Hope is irrelevant.