Irrational rational reality

Living in a land of contrasts stretches the heart and mind. The process of making a rational decision often becomes irrational. A 62 year old lady diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. She lives in a province of Cambodia. She has money for her daily food and lives with a daughter. Her oncologist tells her with the best of treatment she has a 20% five year survival rate. Should she take advantage of the surgery which would require her family to sell their home.? Should she live with dignity the rest of days with her family in the province? How does one bring a sense of reality to this dilemma?