"I turned back to my patient, still holding her hand. 'How about we take a little break from the treatment?'

She nodded, and we sat in silence again. After a while, she asked 'When we gonna get started on chemo again?'

I looked uncertainly at her and then at Mr. Boo. He looked back at me, awaiting my reply. This time, I rearranged myself to sit up a little straighter in my chair.

'Well, I have to wonder if giving you more chemotherapy is the right thing to do, with all that you’ve been through. I’m wondering if we should be talking about bringing more care into your home, to assist both you and Mr. Boo. Maybe even hospice.'

I had said the word."