Hi Trish - I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom who may have had a stroke. I have not had any experience with strokes but perhaps someone else here will have some first hand info for you. There is a book that I found so encouraging and well written by a brain surgeon who had a stroke herself and explains all about how the brain works. It's "Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. It might help you to understand how strokes happen and gives a good perspective from the patient's view. Sounds like your Mom has been through so much with her cancer experience. I hope in the coming hours and days, there will be some encouraging developments. Even though your Mom is comatose and unresponsive, she may still know you are there and can hear you if you talk to her about your day and what is happening around her. Take care and let us know what's happening.