Christy,

Danny is correct. Palliative is a type or mode of care rather than a type of disease. I found this definition on the web. I think it's pretty good:

"Palliative care, also called comfort care, is primarily directed at providing relief to a terminally-ill person through symptom management and pain management. The goal is not to cure, but to provide comfort and maintain the highest possible quality of life for as long as life remains."

In answer to your initial question, which is how long? No one can answer that. Not even the docs. It's usually just their best guess, but everyone is different.

My heart goes out to you and your family.

-Brett