How long until death? Comfort?

[alanpvegas]

Does anyone have experience with someone dying from ovarian cancer?  How long did it take after cessation of chemo?  Was it painful or problematic?  

[lucymullis]

You and your mom are in my heart.  I have been reading the blog of a very brave woman who decided to stop chemo and call hospice in: http://journals.aol.com/elnsr/ELNSRsOVCAandOTHERBLOG/

[Chuck10010]

Alan, I understand what you are going through.  My wife has just stopped chemo.  The doctor said that it just wasn't doing any good anymore.  The cancer was still progressing.  She has tumors in liver, spleen, general abdomen and a coating on the abdominal wall.  We have called in Hospice.  So far, they have been wonderful.  The pain for her is not too bad yet.  She has good days and bad days.  I too am wondering what the next few months will be like.  It's certainly hard to watch someone you love go through the pain.  Hospice has moved in a number of different pain medications so we are prepared when/if the pain gets bad.  I just hope that it doesn't.  I wish the same for your mom.  Take care of yourself as well as you need to be there for her and cannot be there if you are sick as well.  I read recently that a minister said he was seeing more caregivers getting sick as they struggle with trying to keep their loved one alive.

[Diane B]

I just wanted to let you know my thoughts and prayer are with you and your Mum.  Take care of yourself I know how hard it is I lost my Mother 14 years ago to cancer and my Father 4 years ago.  I took care of them when they were sick.  So I know what you are going through.  Lots of hugs.

Diane

[yhwh]

I cannot say "thus saith the Lord" and all this will go away, however I have had surgery for the OVC and went through treatment.  During this time my husband and I were taking Flax Seed and Flax Oil we purchased from a company called Barleans.  You may find them on line.  My doctor had not studied this yet said he was not concerned that I took this while taking my treatments.  He was amazed that the the CA126 dropped as it did.  I would suggest that you take the time to check out websites on PH balance and Johanna Budwig.  There is also a book called How to Fight Cancer and Win.  In our life we were never promised to not have challanges, yet we are given provisions to overcome these challanges.  Too often we take mans way out and not Yahweh's (God's).  I say God in this manner as many religions refer to their superior power as GOD.  When we get our body in the right PH balance and increase the oxygen level we regain our health.  Cancer cannot live in an elevated oxgen level.  Also check out Let's Play Doctor by J.D. Wallach, DVM, ND and Ma Lan, MD, MS.  They have some valuable information that I also took while taking treatment.  By the grace of Yahweh I have come through just as he said, Luke 22:31.  Jesus, did not pray us out of our situations he prayed us through them.  Don't give up and give in.  Fighting this ever step of the way.

[coogeegirl]

I am so sorry that life is being so unfair for you and your mother at the moment. Sending you every good wish from downunder - Jenny

[freshair]

Alan,
I lost a friend a little while ago. In fact while I was up in Boston with my Dad when he had surgery.

She had a lot of problems with food intake. Her bowels were not working because of blockages. A lot of trapped gas also. Then fluid in the lungs. She would not eat after awhile. Did not want TPN. I felt so bad for her because she was living alone. She had relatives visit and hospice. I was trying to get her to consumer shakes but so many foods disagreed with her. She stopped chemo and died about 5 months later. The chemo was contributing to shutting down her intestines along with the anti-nausea medications and some of the pain killers.

It is a fear that we all have. SometimesI wish I live in Oregon.

I am so sorry that you and your Mom have to go thru with this. Big hugs and prayers for you and your Mom.
Helen

[EchoUK]

Sorry things are so tough for your mother and yourself - you have worked so hard to find answers to this rotten disease.  Hope things take a turn for the better soon,

Hugs from Ruth in Englandx

[CFK]

Alan - I'm sorry your Mum is going through all this. I really hope that she can get over this setback -my thoughts are with you both. Warm wishes from Scotland, Cath.

[rootietootie]

Yes, remember to take care of yourself too please.  Sending positive thoughts and prayers to your mom and you... Shannon

[Jen Y]

Alan. Hang in there. And please make sure you take care of yourself, too.  

Sending positive thoughts,
Jen

[alanpvegas]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate all your help and kind words!

[katems]

I just want to add to all the posts above and say that I also am thinking of you and hoping and praying for you and your mum.

Kate

[Helmar]

Dear Alan ... It saddens me to read your post, as you feel that you're Mum is not winning the battle at the moment, but who knows... it's amazing how people 'rally' and seem to keep fighting on, but of course she would need some assistance with the chemo to keep the ovca under control. I've spoken to my Oncol. about the end... as I'd told him that I didn't want to be around if I was going to be some sort of vegetable. If I can't do my crosswords, then  I don't want to be here... and all he said was it's like when we first go to bed at night... and start to fall asleep. He tells me that there is no pain but more like being in a sleepy sort of state, if that is of any comfort to you, but try not to think of this at the moment. Don't give up on your Mum just yet Alan.   Thinking of both and sending hugs....Helen..

[Kimchi]

Did you read PedPi's theory...It's where the cancer cells are tricked into feeding off the TB viruse, think it's called immunotheraphy...So far this is what I have found (not much current info)

http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/immunotherapy.html

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908307,00.html

[Jan214]

My mother died of OVCA in 1964 @ the age of 38.  I was only 8 and I remember it as a child does.  She was sick for a long time and than she wasn't there at all.   I know they have made wonderful strides in end stage care so she should be very comfortable.  I am so sorry you have to go through this.  I worry about the caregivers, they have to be so strong for us. Try not to let the fear of this time rob you of any joyous moments you can spend with her.  Get her to tell stories about what the world was like when she was growing up.   They are stories you will remember and she will love recalling happier memories.  I  hope your mom finds a peaceful path into a bright light with the smiling faces of her loved ones waiting for her.  
Jan

[SimplyStar]

From reading your posts about your love and devotion to your Mother, I know you are feeling very low right now.  I also got the idea that your Mother is somewhat of a fighter,  lets hope this is not something they can't take care of  with the right anti biotics. With all the new drugs they have now days for pain, people do not suffer as they used to.  I took care of my hubby for 11 years and in the end he asked me to just let him go. Not that he was in pain, he was just tired of fighting it.  Sometimes I have watched family members try to prolong life by artifical means because they could not let go,  but I always wonder what their loved one wanted.  The day will come when OVCA will not be taking the toll it does now  and you will remember how hard you faught to enlighten so many people while helping your Mother at the same time. You have helped me time after time and in turn this helped my daughter.  I thank you for being here.  Stay strong Alan and do not give up yet.

[Kimchi]

Alan, alan, alan...it shouldn't have reached this point...You and your Mom have been brave warriors in this battle.  I truly hope that this is not the end of the fight for her.  I wish your Mom painless journey when the time comes.  Sending you both positive energy.

[rmarie]

I am sorry for you Alan, this is rough for both you and your mom.  You cannot perdict how long it will be.  Are you going to go with Hospice?  They will do everything to help you keep her comfortable and pain free.  My thoughts are with you, I took care of my mom for 5 years, she had Alzheimer's not cancer, but it is rough, the most important thing is being there for them and continue to love them.  Thinking of you.

[nyc lady]

She was on Hexalon (?)....or something very close to sounding like that.  They knew it was not going to put her in remission, but, like I said, it kept her "comfortable".

Let's hope they can clear the infection....I have a very elderly very sick very weak aunt, that got C-def in the hospital....she survived although all the doctors gave up hope....I just hope that your mom is comfortable and free of pain.....my thoughts are withyou both!!!!

Pam

[elizza]

Thinking of you and your mom.

[alanpvegas]

Thanks ladies.  Our ER was Saturday and she's been on antibiotics since but the oncologist today said that it looks like to her a serious infection that can be fatal; they are waiting on the cultures to come back to see exactly what infection.  It probablly stemmed from the (still) open old g-tube site or from the blood transfusion (happened a day after).  So no chemo today, she is just not doing good overall.  

Pam, do you recall what chemo she was on?  Yvonne, I hope you can get the others to regress...did they mention radiofrequency ablation for the ones on the kidney (I think they only do it on liver but who knows)?

[Hazel30]

Hi Alan, I just wanted to tell you that my thoughts and prayers are with you.  

[YvonneS]

I have been asking the same questions.  A lady in my Bible study had sister who died of ovarian cancer 4 years ago.  She said she wasn't in a lot of pain until the end and then they put in a morphine pump and she just slept most of the time.  My CT scan last week was good news/bad news.  Some of the tumors had decreased, however, the lung is filling with fluid and there are some small nodules in the chest area and new tumors on the right kidney that weren't there 6 weeks earlier.  I am having some pain in my stomach  and plan to ask the Ono next week if this is going to increase.  We decided to stay the course on the topotecan, although Ono said the CT was discouraging.  Thinking of you and your mom.

[nyc lady]

Alan - I lost a friend in February.  She fought for 5 years.  She received chemo until the end, but, it was only to control the ascites and pain.  The chemo she was on had little or no side effects and did help control the pain.  She went downhill very fast, it was Thanksgiving weekend when she was feeling ill and ended up in the ER.  First it was an infection, then it became urinary blockage, she had a cathered in for a good month before they were able to do something for that.  Then it became a bowel issue where the tumors where pressing causing horrible pain.  They where able to help with this as well.  She was in and out of the hospital until the 3 week or so in January and then went into a hospice.  She was kept very comfortable and they controlled her pain until the end.

I wish there was something say.  My thoughts are with you.
Pam