Wouldn't it still be possible to empathize with a terminal patient by recalling experiences of powerlessness, fear, grief, anger, etc? I thought empathy was not

Wouldn't it still be possible to empathize with a terminal patient by recalling experiences of powerlessness, fear, grief, anger, etc? I thought empathy was not limited to experiences you've literally had, but could be extended to understanding the underlying emotions another person is feeling?