Choosing palliative care; what is your experience?

I would like to hear from or about other people who have chosen palliative care rather than cancer treatment. I would like to know the age of the patient. I am an 86 year old woman who has rejected treatment for adenocarcinoma sigmoid colon, metastasized to my liver. I have done a fair amount of genealogy and for fifty years I claimed that “everyone in my family dies of heart attacks and strokes.” Mother Nature made a liar out of me! I rejected radiation and chemotherapy because I have had a decent 86 years and choose to end my years without the potential discomfort generally associated with those treatments and surgery was not an option.

I have numerous co-morbidities which I have survived for about five or six years. I will be balancing the elimination of anticoagulants without which I will be in danger of having a stroke against taking anticoagulants and be in greater danger of bleeding again. I had a colonoscopy in June to determine the source of blood loss and then started much heavier bleeding from my colon until my hemoglobin was 6.4. I was unaware of what was happening as my children and the hospital staff determined that I should be released to hospice. Three units of blood and the bleeding stopped so that when I arrived at home I was greatly rejuvenated and declined hospice. I have no pain but I do realize what may be in my future: either colon blockage or future bleeding are possibilities. What else?

I came to Mayo Clinic Connect sections on congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, central sleep apnea, and neuropathy. I didn’t expect to add cancer, but here I am. What was your experience? What am I facing? Thank you. Best wishes for everyone who is traveling this road.