Stage 4 ovarian cancer?

My friend has stage 4 ovarian cancer.. She was diagnosed in December of 2006 and had surgery in February of 2007. Since then she has been taking chemo but it has not done anything. She stopped chemo a few weeks ago because she was too weak. She started hospice last week and yesterday she had to go to the hospital because she was in severe pain. They found she has blood clots in her legs and her lungs.. I am very concerned and I am wondering if anyone knows how long she can survive? Has anyone been in a similar situation? And is there anything that can be done or was chemo her only hope?

It sounds pretty bad. If she is not responding to chemo and they are referring her to Hospice it sounds terminal for sure. The Hospice criteria is that the patient has less than a year to live. Of course sometimes they can't tell for sure how long a patient will live. But I think Hospice is a good choice for your friend. I'm so sorry for you and her.
My mother who was only 64 died this past December after a long illness so I understand what you are going through.

I am very sorry for your friend, life is so short anyway we should value each day as precious.

I am sorry to hear this. My mother had ovarian cancer (but she has been cancer free for 14 years) and my aunt is going through her 5th chemo because it keeps coming back in different places. I know how you feel. As for the time line, it is never certain. Some people can last years while others motnhs. It all depends on how the body fights it and in my experience the person deals with it. If the person has good spirits about it, they seem to last longer. Radiation works well too, but that's if the cancer hasn't metastized (spread). There are a lot of experimental drugs going on, that you can contact the mayo clinic to see if she wants to try it. There's n othing to lose there. My aunt is actually going through that herself. Let us know how thinsg go, and if you need someone to talk to you can always e-mail me cause I am been there and still going through it!

As a healthcare provider I am sorry to tell you that this prognosis is very short. It is true that hospice is described as a prognosis of less than a year. The complication in this case is the blood clots. The ones in the lungs are called pulmonary embolism.....this event alone can be fatal. At this point the main goal is making sure she is out of pain and providing her death with dignity. The efforts to prolong her life will be limited to what only provides her comfort and painlessness. Everybody is individual. After 30 years in healthcare I have learned to never predict when someone is coming (how long labor will be) or going. Support is what she needs, and what those that care for her need. Hospice is the best place for this......the staff is trained and experienced. Although, home care with hospice nurses is also a great alternative....for those that medically could accomplish this with the assist of a family who is prepared and accepting of what this would mean.

I am sorry that your friend has had to go through this ordeal. Most doctors, at this point, will do what they can to make her comfortable until her body gives in. I on the other hand have hope and information that may help her. It is call the 21 day Cancer challenge using mangosteen juice. It has a phytonutrient (called a xanthone) that will not only help to break down the clots, but help her body fight off the cancer even in this late stage. It can be consumed along with her current meds because it is just a pureed fruit juice. I have attached several links with information for you to look at.
You are both in my prayers...

I am so sorry for your friend. She is in hospice which means her life expectancy is less than a year. To be honest, this is a very aggressive form of cancer and many in this stage do not make it longer than six months past the time of diagnosis.
I am truly sorry for you, your friend, and all of those who love her. Spend as much time with her as you can and don't leave anything left unsaid and ask her whatever it is you would like to know. And do your friend a favor and don't treat her like she is ill, lighten her mood, tell jokes, and make her feel as human as you possibly can. She will appreciate you for this, the ability to keep the focus off of the cancer and the illness. Maybe you two can watch a comedy movie together and laugh a bit. It will make her feel good inside and she really needs you to be her friend and not look at her like she is dying. If she brings it up just listen because she is probably keeping a lot in and trying to hold it all together so others won't be so scared.
God Bless You and Your Friend!