Sandy,
Generally, if someone goes into remission and you opt for no transplant then they do 3 rounds of consolidation chemo in an attempt to keep someone in remission. But this is not pallative care.
Pallative care is the same thing as end of life care. They essentially provide for pain management and anything needed to keep a person comfortable until they pass away. Most people do not get treatment during this time although they may be able to. With hospice care they cannot get treatment. That may be a difference between “pallative care” and “hospice care.” I am not sure on that.
I think you need to ask Mike’s doctors directly what they mean by pallative care. Are they saying there is nothing else they’ll be able to do for him if he doesn’t go into remission? Why are they saying he can’t have another round if he doesn’t go into remission? It takes some folks several rounds to achieve remission. Do they have a specific reason for saying this? Does it have something to do with Mike’s response to this round? Etc. etc. If you can make a list of questions to ask them it will help. It’s so easy to forget when we’re right in the midst of the battle.
In the meantime, we will pray for remission and that Mike stays strong through this time.
Patti
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