I recently heard about this in my stage 4 support group. No doctor will go on record that they do it however. God forbid there be dignity in choosing when to shuffle off the mortal coil.
A recent tale is that a family member got a bad cancer. Our mom called him to get the scoop, who he'll only give to her, apparently. He said 'Mom, she'll be dead in two years. She'll initially respond really well to treatment, then just get worse until the end.'
Doctors know these things, but many won't tell the patient because it's depressing, and also there's a tiny chance they're wrong.
Of course neither told said family member, and she's currently in the responding well phase. It's shattering hearing their hope, so I guess their doctor wasn't blunt either...
It was quite depressing in the beginning but after connecting with some people who have survived years past their onc's expiry date, I feel hopeful.
Apologies if my previous comment was doom and gloom - was just thinking about the things doctors do and perhaps even know and have to decide... sounds incredibly stressful. But of course that was one specific case, and every case and person is different.
Anyhow, stay strong, and best of luck to you, truly.
Given the nature of this post, maybe consider working on this relationship and at least getting back to the point of talking to each other.
Rereading what I'd written sounded awkward, I guess I was trying to explain it was third hand information without being evasive/mysterious.
Didn't mean it as a complaint or even bad thing. Last time we saw each other he kept making incredibly racist comments about and even to my (nonwhite) wife and kid's face - it was the first time they'd even met!
Well, that's certainly unfortunate. I honestly do not know how you can bridge a gap that wide.