How to tell when a Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer patient's health is deteriorating?

My mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer in mid-December 2007. After all of the reading i've done on the subject, they're normally given a timeframe of 5 years or less as prognosis. Sometimes that will go up or down.

I have a hard time bringing the subject up with her, and don't know how to ask this directly to her. She may have a few more months, or a few more years, who knows. But once it looks like her time is nearing, what symptoms should I begin to notice? She already has constant stomach pains and body aches, but that is normal for any time during her condition.

Sorry for your news. I would suggest taking your mum to her doctors appointments?? That is what i did with my Mum who was diagnosed last may with stage 4 kidney cancer that had spread to her liver and lung. There was nothing they could do it was so aggressive she pasted away 4 months after diagnosis aged 60. You WILL know when she deteriorates, you cant miss it. She will sleep more not eat and will have less energy to do anything. the pains and aches are normal reactions to cancer. Is she on the appropriate pain medications??

I have never seen someone with Stage 4 ovarian cancer, but what I can tell you, even though it is hard for you to bring it up to your mom, you need to be able to talk to her about it. Ask her questions about her disease. There may be more that can be done, but you just don't know because you haven't asked.

My mom has pancreatic cancer (one of the deadliest), and my family did all the research that we could do on the disease, and even though it didn't help because it was sooo far advanced, we know what to look for, we know how to prevent it, and are able to spend time with her in her final days.

Talk to your mom, and if she is not ready, tell her you are, and when she is to please talk to you about it. You will get through it, and it's hard, but cherish the good days, and put the bad ones behind you!