for pegsue23: Regarding chemo versus palliative care, why not give the chemo a try and see what the results are? Your mother can always stop it if she wants to. Try not to let pre-conceived notions of what chemo will be like get in the way of trying it. Her doctor can tell her what to expect.

For example, I had Cytarabine, and then high-dose Cytarabine. I was scared that taking 30 times more would result in side effects 30 times worse, but it does not work that way. In addition, there are many good drugs to control side effects like nausea these days.

I don't know her situation, but it might reassure her if she knew that she would have the support she will need with practical matters.