Hi Meg. First let me tell you how sorry I am for you and your family of the current situation. I do however respect your mom's decision to not seek treatment. If you mom is at peace knowing that she is now faced with a terminal illness. Even with treatment there are no guarantees. My husband was a very, very healthy non-smoking 55 year old when he was diagnosed in January with Stage IV base of tongue cancer. He finished his 7 weeks of chemo and radiaition 3 weeks ago today and it has been beyond brutal. Even with a feeding tube in he has lost 30 lbs. (which he couldn't afford), can't talk, can't swallow etc. Everyone is different but I can't imagine someone at your mom's age and condition going through this. Unfortunately we are all going to die sometime and I certainly wouldn't want the remaining time I have left being miserable and sick potentially buying me maybe a couple of more years. Just my 2 cents.

I guess my view is somewhat jaded since I watched my mom battle pancreatic cancer for 3 1/2 years before she died at 76. We were told "it's caught very early, her chances are great etc." But at the end of the day there are very few people who are "cured" from pancreatic cancer. Believe me my mom fought the good fight but at the end of the day I believe when your number is up, your number is up.

Just continue to love your mom and be there for her. Ultimately it is HER decision to make although you might not agree with it.