@Afraser, I too like a healthy dollop of humour, even in the darkest of situations. I agree with @ about the whole "Journey" gig not being trotted out to other cancer sufferers. Can't think of too many parents being thrilled by a paediatric oncologist rabbitting on about this wonderful and uplifting "journey" their sick child and the family were about to undertake after being diagnosed with whatever cancer. I'm not ungrateful, or bagging any particular organisation for their use of this word, merely stating my personal feelings. I also get twitchy when people refer to the dead as "late". As in ...."your late brother Geoff". My beloved brother is not late...he's not being tardy, or slack with his timekeeping. He's dead. No amount of banging on his grave and pouring copious mugs of strong coffee on it are going to wake him up. Much like Monty Python's Norwegian Blue Parrot...he's dead..not kipping!! Yes it's a common turn of phrase, but not one I personally appreciate.
