What to Expect at End of Life

[helpmom99]

My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in March 2006, she under went chemo for six months and was doing great.  She has recently had to start chemo again, is still doing well although her blood count was down this week.  Mom is only 67 years old and very active, she has been trying to get some information on what to expect near the end of her life.  She wants to know any symptoms she might expect, she continues to play golf with her grandchildren and exercise with friends.  It would be helpful if anyone could share resource they may have on what to expect.  She just want some honest answers about things to come.

[YvonneS]

Hi,  I, too am stage IV and also want to know the same thing.  right now I feel good, except for some pain in stomach that I only take Aleve for.  thanks, Alan for all your help.  I will be 67 in Nov.  I amnot having any reaction from chemo-topotecan.  Is that good?  why does everything effect us so differently?  Makes no sense to me.  Praying for your Mum.

[ajanee]

I am so sorry to read you are worried about the way your mom will go. Please don't spoil today by dreading tomorrow. Make all your todays fab and I find that nothing happens the way you expect it to anyway. All my love x

[alanpvegas]

There is exellent books from the National Cancer Institute for free about Advanced Cancer (talks extensively about end of line issues and how to deal with it, etc.).

https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/default.asp

Coping with advanced cancer:  https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/details.asp?pid=1304
End of Life, Q&A:  https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/details.asp?pid=1121
Hospice:  https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/details.asp?pid=358
When someone you love has advanced cancer:  https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/details.asp?pid=1320

Be sure to pick up the publications and pain rating scale for 'cancer pain' while you are browsing the other publications.  There is no need for pain at the end of life, and in many cases (esp. in California) Doctors and Nurses have been successfully sued for not providing adequate cancer pain relief.

All these publications are free.

[EL18]

Hello.  

I started posting on this forum a while ago when the doctor's suspected ovarian problems, turned out to be ms related so I now post there but keep popping in here to catch up with old friends hence why I saw your post tonight.

I wish I could give you and your mum the answers you want but I know I can't.  However your post really touched me as I my gran had ovarian cancer. I just wanted to send you, your mum and your family my love and best wishes.  I hope you can find the answers you need.

Peace

Em