You hear the words coming out of your doctor's mouth. S/he is telling you your diagnosis, your treatment options, asking you if you have any questions...you hear it. You leave the doctor's office and you may feel shock, sadness, anger, or you may be in denial of the magnitude of the situation. 

Shame is such a powerful emotion, and usually an unwelcome and unpleasant one. Shame implies something wrong has been done and that one should feel badly about him/her self. A person who is ashamed often feels on the "outside", marginalized, and outcast from the mainstream. One would not expect a person with illness to feel ashamed of his/her self.