“How long have they got left to live?” This is a question I am asked at least once a week. There is no way I can give a completely accurate answer but I try my best to give an approximate time period. Months to years. Weeks to months. Days to weeks. Hours to days. These are the standard replies I give, for the weather forecast they have asked me for.

Over the years I have had a lot of practice. My educated best guesses have come closer thanks to lived experience. I am often wrong as there are too many things that need to be included in the considerations.

“Should I call the loved ones in?”

Better they come and visit too early, than too late. See them while they are still able to talk and interact.

I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, let alone next week.

I will try to give you as much warning as possible, but sometime I may be caught by surprise myself. The final deterioration may not announce its arrival. It might sneak up on everyone, including the person themselves.

I’ll keep on trying my best, but I don’t mind being wrong when it comes to prognostication.