I hope you are hanging in! You can tell how times have changed by the way doctors behave in movies! This was a pretty jerky guy, but thank goodness thing have changed! I'm a nurse, and when I was inn school, I took care of a woman who was riddled with liver cancer, and the family didn't want her to know, and the doctor was going along with it! I wanted so badly to take her aside and tell her what she probably already knew so she could make plans and enjoy the time she had left!
I hope you are feeling well and enjoying your days!

The doctors - especially back then! - just don't know. They cannot always give people a timeline or tell them what to expect because they really, truly do not know.
"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst" is too curt. People want a little more info on what the doctors think might work, what the history is, etc. Patients deserve more, for sure. These days, there is more hope. There are more treatments, more results, better technology, etc. But even now, after you get all the info you're able to understand, it still boils down to "Hope for the best and prepare for the worst."
When all is said and done, it's still not bad advice.
I understand people's frustration. "Am I going to live or die or what? How long will I live?" That's normal, reasonable and understandable. Those questions just cannot always be answered because the truth is that nobody knows.

I would have punched a doc who said that FOR you! I am very sorry that you have been ill for so long. As someone who contracted Lyme disease while living in CT, where it was first discovered, I was still misdiagnosed. After becoming bedridden, unable to think or recall information, l hurt in every muscle and joint, was exhausted but unable to sleep, could not tolerate smells, lights, or noise, had fevers and headaches daily.I had physicians say the most insensitive and hurtful things. "Maybe you're overtired and stressed out?"was a common one as was "Are you sure you're not just depressed?" and my favourite "Maybe it's early menopause"It took so much energy just to get to a doctor, that to be minimized so thoughtlessly was almost more than I could take. Prior to getting sick I walked 3 miles a day, loved my practice as a psychotherapist and loved my daughter and husband. Then I suddenly got lost coming home from work and also had to ask my Secretary for my home phone number.Finally, I was diagnosed 10 years after contracting it.And it's been 11 years since that! But I am still bedridden and sleep - a lot! Doctors don't know what to do or say if they can't cure you so it often sounds like they're blaming you! I pray that you will recover. Please know that I will be thinking of you and will be there in spirit the next time a physician says something thoughtless. I promise.

Sorry to hear that you have stage 4 cancer. I just wanted to let you know that I really hope you are doing well. My Sister had Breast Cancer over 15 years ago and she is cancer free. It was hard to see her go through mastectomy, chemo, etc. and I really do hope that the medical field makes greater strides on cancer treatments and prevention.
Sounds like you are a fighter stay strong.

Thanks everyone! Hugs to all.

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Lots of ice cream - soothes the throat and gives you calories. Ben & Jerry's Choc Fudge is divine.

Thank you for asking. I'm on a chemo that was just approved last April and am doing pretty well except for exhaustion. One day at a time.

llocket1, how are you doing?

I'm sorry to hear it You must be very strong, physically and emotionally. I would be a wreck in your situation. I tend to be a pretty optimistic person, and sometimes when I say things meaning to be helpful, people may take it wrong. I think maybe her Dr. Meant well (I find most people do) , but I can see someone getting that kind of news not finding that helpful. Ha I'm used to it w a mom like mine,who's actually a worrier and very PESSIMISTIC. Hope I don't offend by saying you're in my thoughts, though ?