Setting boundaries. Help please.

Hello.

I have a Parent who has recently been diagnosed with advanced cancer. They are very scared. They have not got a wide support system, as they do not tolerate people well.

My question is, how do I set boundaries to cope? I have Children with special needs, so life is full on. My Parent has already started needing calls in the night to talk through their anxieties. My child wakes me up through the night as it is, and I don't know how to cope with an extra thing that takes away sleep.

My Parent and I have not had a close relationship, and I have kept them at a bit of a distance. They are notw vulnerable and scared, and needs me as they have pushed away other people throughout the years. 

How do I juggle everything and keep my head above water? 

I've been up since 4 am with my child, and the pressure to message and phone in the night is going to make me sick.

How does everyone get balance in your situations? What can I do do?

Thank you.

Parents
  • To add: They are not your average person. They only want to talk to the nurses, HCAs and me and my Sister. They'd never call Samaritans. They are very particular with everything. Huge anxiety and need to obsessively go over everything on loop. I suspect OCD type issues. The urge to talk to the same people on repeat is so strong. They'd be on the phone constantly to Samaritans and other services, needing the exact same input.

    Do Hospitals dealing with cancer also provide mental health assistance to those with serious mental health disorders? 

Reply
  • To add: They are not your average person. They only want to talk to the nurses, HCAs and me and my Sister. They'd never call Samaritans. They are very particular with everything. Huge anxiety and need to obsessively go over everything on loop. I suspect OCD type issues. The urge to talk to the same people on repeat is so strong. They'd be on the phone constantly to Samaritans and other services, needing the exact same input.

    Do Hospitals dealing with cancer also provide mental health assistance to those with serious mental health disorders? 

Children
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