What should I expect for the last 6 months to a year of my Mom's brain cancer battle?

I'd strongly suggest that you call hospice right away. This is what they do - help people stay comfortable during their last months. Both of my parents had hospice care even though they were in a nursing home. Hospice worked seamlessly with the nursing home staff. I remain grateful to them all.
Carol

We called in Hospice for my Mother a few weeks ago. They are an excellent resource for information on what to expect, they also brought equipment (hospital bed), supplies and skilled nurses and staff (checking vitals and bathing). My mother has quit eating and is not in pain, so there is no medication to administer, but they will take over that if its needed. They will also come over whenever we need help or a break and we are to call them first when her time comes to handle the detail of what we want done. In the meantime we do whatever gives her comfort, play her favorite records and shows, pray with her and just spend time with her telling her we love her. Wishing you strength, courage and love.

Firstly I am sorry to hear about your mom. From my exprience with my Dad the symptoms differ depending on many factors and it is important if you can to talk with her doctors about these so that you can (as you obviously want to be!) be prepared and recognise these as they come along. One thing (again from expirience ) is to understand that diseases that effect the brain can effect personality and that the person you know and love may act differently, it can be frustrating. Also please look afteryourself and make sure that you take look after yourself so you can be strong. Are there other members of the family/friends who you can talk with about this situation and that you can all support each other (remembering people deal in different way with this type of news) and also be prepared for the roller coaster of emitions from Anger - Sadness etc.... I can say that with my Dad - by working as a family we made his last few months as good as they could be - by making sure we were informed and made decisions on care as and when needed. I hope you gain strength thru all this to help you thru J

Sorry to hear about your mom Johanei. Though my father did not have cancer (he had dementia), he was on hospice the last 3 months of his life. It was so helpful to me, and he enjoyed seeing new faces who treated him like a king. Good hospice people will ease the journey and keep you well informed. Until then, people here, Internet sites, and the doctors can help you be aware. But, as with most illnesses, symptoms can vary. When a good friend was dying of cancer that had spread to his brain, he eventually got disoriented enough to stumble and fall. His wife, also a good friend, is petite and she had trouble getting him up and around. I tell you this so you have the help close by should you run into similar challenges. In this case, he spent the last 2 weeks of his life in a hospice facility so he could receive care that his wife, alone, could not do. Otherwise, surround your mom with the people and things she loves. Help her do what things she still can. Music and art are good. My dad, even though he didn't quite understand what was going on in a lot of things, loved music and silly comedy shows. Laughing is good. Take care.

Contact hospice right away. I am sure they will help you though these next steps of your mom's journey. Don't delay. My MIL was given 6mos after her breast cancer spread and she was gone within weeks of it going to her brain. Everyone is different, but now is the time for hospice, they were great for my mom as well as my MIL. Prayers for you and your dear mom.

I am very sorry for you and your mother, Johanei. Sometimes people with brain tumors go very fast. I lost a sister in law to a brain tumor. She had surgery and a month later she was gone. In retrospect, i would refuse all treatment except for comfort and pain relief. Hospice is definitely the way to go. They are wonderful, and they do nothing to prolong the dying process. The do offer comfort and pain relief.

Also I was going to say that my mother really enjoyed music in her final days. She didn't have to use her eyes and she could just listen and enjoy. It was close to Christmas time and we played all her favorite Christmas music and some religious music too. She was very peaceful at the end. Dad stayed with her in the hospital room 24/7 until she passed. It was 5 days at the end in the hospital. Back then Hospice only did cancer and she did not have cancer. Her body was simply shutting down at age 80.

Do not concentrate on that number. Six month can turn into 6 weeks or a couple of years.... You should concentrate on positive emotions and fulfilling your mother's bucket-list instead.
Take one day at the time and try to create "good memory" album with pictures/letters/notes reflecting your relationship with your mother. In the future, it will help you to realized that, even though she had a hard time to transition, your two did go through it TOGETHER and it helped her.
I usually use organic essential oils for my dying residents to keep them comfortable and pain free. It helps. Make high protein meals. Try to go for all organic, GMO-free produce. Reduce meat and processed food. Make sure your mom does not suffer from Candida (common condition with cancer). Educate yourself about what is expected -- there is a lot of info on the Net.

I'm so sorry for what you are going through with your mother. The best advice I ever received here was the following. It may not be exactly what you asked, but I hope it is as helpful to you as it was for me:

Tell her that you love her every day. Touch her, hold her hand, hug her if possible. Tell her how you are thankful for the things she did during your lifetime with her and remind her of the people she touched and remind her of those who love her.

I am so sorry for what you and your mother are going through. Yes, try to make each day special. Although my mom could not read we got a cassette player from the library for the blind in our state. The service is free and you can order what book you want to listen to. I also would make her favorite food and tell her I loved her every day. She had Dementia and that was hard sometimes. I have a lot of good memories and she loved me doing things especially for her. Above take care of YOU!!! You cannot care for your mom if you don't take care of yourself. Hugs!!!!

Contact hospice they can help you keep your mom comfortable and also help you in dealing with this end of life issue. Hospice is a philospohy, not a place.
We go wherever the patient calls home. RN's, Social Workers, Spiritual Care, Home Health Aides, are all part of a team dedicated to helping not only the patient but the family. Ask your Dr. to refer your mom to a hospice, most insurances cover hospice-Medicare definitely does. Don't wait, the sooner you get you mom on hospice the sooner the team can work to make her and you comfortable. Good luck and God Bless.