I was told in January 2002, by my family doctor that I should get my affairs in order. He had diagnosed me stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer with mets to the liver. I am estrogen and her2neu negative. Here I am two years later in full remission. I had six months of chemo. No surgery, no radiation. Tumours gone. Print this message out, give it to your friend and tell her to read The Mean is not the Message (you can get it off the web). She should remain hopeful until there is good reason to have no hope.
Sorry about your friend. Please look into hospice care as a possible option, as well. The services are invaluable.
Dear bonya: First of all, no one knows how long a person will live. While I do not know any particulars of her case, breast cancer is a very treatable illness. It would be unlikely that she could be cured but there may be good treatments that could prolong her life (without compromising too much quality). During this time, unless there are complications, she will probably be able ro receive care at home. As people get more ill, some will need home care, some will need hospitalization but these are situations that are difficult to predict.