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Rob Ford receiving palliative care in hopes of more treatment

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TORONTO

What a fighter!

If there’s still time on the clock in any football game or political battle, you’ll never find Rob Ford — player, coach or politician — giving up.

“He is a real fighter,” Doug Ford told the Toronto Sun Monday. “He is the toughest guy I know.”

The former mayor is proving that once again, as he receives palliative care at Mount Sinai Hospital.

The media has been on Ford watch for days and most have their obituaries already written.

But stubborn Rob Ford has other plans. He doesn’t move at the media’s pace or dance or jump for anybody. It is poignant and deliciously fitting that in salute to all that transpired, Ford has all the reporters gathered together waiting for him once again.

Hopefully they, and all of us, will have to keep waiting.

“Part of his palliative care includes sedation, which is also an element of the team’s pain management,” said a family statement on Monday issued by Dan Jacobs, Ford’s chief of staff. “As Councillor Ford and his brother Doug have said several times throughout the course of treatment, pain has been an ongoing issue, and the councillor is now resting comfortably thanks to the efforts of his medical team.”

The statement added that while Ford’s care is palliative in nature, the former mayor remains on the same hospital floor where he received chemotherapy and has not been transferred to a palliative care unit.

“Palliative care is often administered in conjunction with other treatments ... The purpose of palliative care is to deal with symptomatic issues, such as pain and discomfort, and physical and mental stress, and to allow the patient to be as comfortable as possible,” the statement said.

I am not alone in praying for a miracle. From AM 640’s John Oakley to my Sun pals Adrienne Batra, Sue-Ann Levy and Don Peat, we are not ready to concede we have had our last conversation with RoFo about taxpayers’ money — or anything.

“I join you in your prayers,” Councillor Norm Kelly said.

I am told the Etobicoke North (Ward 2) councillor still has more fight in him and this is just a little rest.

“His body is really taking a beating,” said a Ford insider. “He needs rest if he wants to live.”

Remember, this is Rob Ford. No opponent is too big.

While this is “serious,” the Fords are still looking ahead. There is no quit in any of them.

“The chemo last week did not help,” said a source, adding the goal is “to get strong for hopefully another round this week.” The plan is “to get him fully rested to help him be able to take more chemo.”

It would be a 10th round.

“Doctors have been clear since Councillor Ford’s diagnosis that he is dealing with an extremely serious illness,” said the statement. “We have not been given any indication of when he could possibly be discharged or a different treatment course be attempted, but they have also been clear that he still faces challenges.

“They are very concerned with the reappearance and progression of the disease, but everyone is hopeful that his body will be able to fight back enough that he can then undergo further treatment.”

The Ford family is so close that if you fight one, you fight them all. Cancer has visited them before, and like then with Rob’s father, former MPP Doug Ford Sr., they have rallied around as if they all have it.

Big brother Doug — former councillor and mayoral candidate, other family members and Jacobs have been by Rob’s side day and night.

Not lost in any of this are Rob’s children, Stephanie and Doug, and wife Renata, who Rob has told me are his strength and purpose to keep up the struggle.

“I’m not sure how much longer he will make it,” said one insider.

But “he is fighting hard” to make it as long as possible.

jwarmington@postmedia.com

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