Hi, 

So my mum was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer a few months ago, they keep referring to it as advanced and have put her on palliative care. I assume they predict she will not make it:

The doctors have prescribed her 3 cycles of chemotherapy and she has just completed the first cycle, from which the doctor said she has responded well and the cancer has shrunk slightly. However, when I asked about her chances of survival the doctor turned to my dad and told him she will die but it's a matter of prolonging her life. 
 

This is where it gets confusing for me, I assumed if the cancer shrunk it meant she would survive or would at least be on the road to survival. After all, this is the response after one cycle and she has two more to go. 

I just don't know if I want to get my hopes up. 
 

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any replies