What is the survival rate of a person with Stage 4 breast cancer who just suffered a stroke?

A 48 year old woman, diagnosed on 12/4/08 with stage 4 breast cancer (mets to brain, lungs, liver and spine) suffered a stroke on 1/30/09, during a chemotherapy treatment. The stroke left her paralyzed on her left side, with limited mobility in her hand/arm/shoulder. She can't walk, and she has "mental mis-fires."

Her family (particularly her mother) is in denial about the grimness of her condition. Her husband (they're somewhat estranged, but he is "doing the right thing") wants to put her in a rehab/hospice setting, because she can't climb stairs. (They live in an old rowhouse. . .no bathroom on the main floor.) Her mother, on the other hand, has come up with this crazy idea to rent an apartment and care for her there. ?????

Does anyone have any experience with a situation like this? What is this woman's realistic survival rate? Would hospice be the appropriate move at this point?

Her survival was said to be about 2 months, which it has already been. X-rays of lungs show that they are completely covered with cancer cells. The doctor has suggested hospice/rehab.

Stage 4 usually means a very limited time is left. Her mother loves her and wants to help her, but she isn't realizing how much care she's going to need. It would be better for her to be in Hospice and have her mother be there to enjoy the time they have left together. My dad had lung cancer and when they realized it had spread to his brain he only lived 6 more weeks. It's a very sad situation. Be there for your friend in any way you can, because your time together is limited.

Poor baby she is too young for all this. If her oncologist thought hospice was appropriate he or she would have suggested it. Unless she has signed documents giving someone power to make medical decisions for her and she is at a point of being unable to make them for herself, all of this is up to her husband. Stage 4 breast cancer can be managed for many years. How this is done depends on several factors you do not mention. The best source for information is her oncologist. I鈥檓 sure she must be undergoing other tests now, at least a brain MRI. Go with her on her next appoint and talk to the doctor then. Best wishes to you and this special person in your life.