We have just discovered that my mother in law has cancer and they are talking palliative only. She had not told any family or friends what she had due to a combination of fear and denial, and had refused further investigations some time ago for this same reason. Apart from the shock, guilt, and confusion that we are feeling right now, we have nothing in place from a practical standpoint and she is now not even 100% lucid to get her wishes across. We just keep asking how could it have come to this? Has anyone been through something similar or have any advice?
I just wish she had told us so we could have understood and been there for her.