Is The End Near?

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knows how to tell if the end is near.  My mother has Stage IV Ovarian Cancer.  She is going on 5 years since diagnosis next month.  Currently she is on oxygen and antibiotics for an infection in her lungs.  Her legs are very big and hard and has swelling on top of that.  When she wakes up in the morning she says it feels like the water (swelling) has traveled up to her chest.  She says it feels like her stomach is going to explode.  Today she is unable to eat - she feels like vomiting and she keeps burping bile.  She is supposed to have her uriter stents changed on Thursday.  I don't know if that is such a good idea - to go under anesthesia while being on oxygen.  She also says she feels like she has a blockage - something she has been experiencing for quite some time now and actually has a stent in her large bowel to correct a previous blockage.  Has anyone had or know anyone who has had experience with any of this.  Her doctor says she only has a few more months but also said she only had six months or less a year ago.  However, a year ago she was still traveling and moving around with ease.  Her life has completely changed since then and has so even since June of this year.  Thank you for reading this and for any responses.

Catherine

Catherine,

I'm hoping for the best for you and your mom.  It sounds like she has ascites but also very classic (I'm a nurse) signs of a bowel obstruction.  She needs to be evaluated ASAP.  A simple nasogastric tube could provide immense relief to her at this point.  Bile coming UP means that nothing can get down.  This is actually considered a medical emergency.  Please seek care today...

 

Christine

I am sorry for what your family is going through. I lost my mother to lung cancer on July2nd this year. I can not answer any of your questions but I can tell you to Google "Hospice" from there you will find the pamphlet Gone From My Sight. It is a step by step guide to the dying process from a couple of months out to the very last breath. I know this is difficult but this pamphlet helped us alot.. If you decide to look this up just remember that all the information is very general based on years and hundreds of patients.. For us however it was right on. Take care

 

On 9/4/2007 Catherine D. wrote:

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knows how to tell if the end is near.  My mother has Stage IV Ovarian Cancer.  She is going on 5 years since diagnosis next month.  Currently she is on oxygen and antibiotics for an infection in her lungs.  Her legs are very big and hard and has swelling on top of that.  When she wakes up in the morning she says it feels like the water (swelling) has traveled up to her chest.  She says it feels like her stomach is going to explode.  Today she is unable to eat - she feels like vomiting and she keeps burping bile.  She is supposed to have her uriter stents changed on Thursday.  I don't know if that is such a good idea - to go under anesthesia while being on oxygen.  She also says she feels like she has a blockage - something she has been experiencing for quite some time now and actually has a stent in her large bowel to correct a previous blockage.  Has anyone had or know anyone who has had experience with any of this.  Her doctor says she only has a few more months but also said she only had six months or less a year ago.  However, a year ago she was still traveling and moving around with ease.  Her life has completely changed since then and has so even since June of this year.  Thank you for reading this and for any responses.

Catherine

Hi Catherine,

I hope the doctors have been able to help your mom manage her pain.  My mother was just diagnosed with what seems to be stage 3 ovarian cancer.  I see that your mom had stage 4 and  has lived for 5 years since diagnosis.  Five more years with my mother would be such a gift.  Is there anything you can share regarding her treatment that might be helpful to me?

Thank you so much,

Debra