I have a friend who has been struggling with guilt for 2 years associated with his friends death.  On the day my friends friend died, my friend received a phone message and all he heard was gurgling.  My friend believes that had he answered the phone he would have been able to save his friends life.  I have tried to explain to my friend that because his freind was internaly bleeding there really wasnt anything my friend could have ever done to save his friends life, as that was most likely the final stages of the cancer.  What Im looking for is an explanation on internal bleeding and the possibilities, if any, that a patient would or could live through that.  I am trying to find some way to help my friend understand that he couldnt have done anything except be there sooner but that at that point, his friend was already beyond the stages of help and that even if my friend had picked up the phone and called 911, his friend still would have died; that it was just a matter of time.  Any kind of factual explanation, oncology reports, etc. would be appreciated; anything about the process, standard length of time, earlier symptoms, later symptons, signs of end of life, etc., due to internal bleeding from cancer.
Hello, welcome to Chat Doctor. It is usual to have guilt for 1-2 month after death of loved one, due to grief. But having excessive guilt for more than 2 years is not common. It is symptom of depression. Only explanation regarding cancer will not help him much. It is better to get him evaluated by psychiatrist. There are several treatment options are available like Chat Doctor. Wish you good health and all the best.