“At this stage,” he said, calmly, “the goal shifts.

From curing the disease, which we cannot do, to protecting the quality of her life — managing her pain, preventing suffering, giving her meaningful time.

That is not giving up.

It is a different, and I would say a more loving, kind of care.”

“How much time?” I choked.

“Months, most likely.

No one can say exactly.”

“No,” I said, turning to my mother.