@overwhelmed - what a shock this must be for both you and your husband. I encourage you to explore this website Virtual Hospice http://virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home.aspx
Reading through the articles in Topics and Asked & Answered, you soon find that many find communication at the end of life to be difficult, but possible. For example, see the answers that the palliative care team offer other people who have faced very similar situations as you and husband do.

Here are a few specific links to get you started
Communication with the patient: http://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Support/Support/Asked+and+Answered/Communication/Communicating+with+the+Patient.aspx
http://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/Topics/Topics.aspx
I really like the advice offered in this extract "Our society generally discourages talk about death, dying and illness. For some people this kind of discussion is most difficult with family. You can try several strategies to help your [husband] open up and talk. It’s possible that no matter what you try your [husband] may be unwilling to talk. This can be hard for you, and if it is, it may help to tell him so. Unless he knows, he may not realize that talking will help you and him."

We're here to talk any time you need to.