My family is falling apart as we are losing mum

I've never done anything like this but I'm really struggling. My mum my best friend was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer in November. It was so unexpected and very hard to come to terms with. The doctors can't find the primary and she has an awful prognosis that has gone from months to weeks and today days.  We Spent Christmas together at the hospital as a family as my dad says he can't cope to bring mum home and she desperately wants to go home it really upsets me. My brother and myself noth live 200 miles away from mum in separate parts of the country and I have tried to go home as often as possible but due to family circumstances with my children I can't go as much as I like and my dad is very upset by this and has banned us staying at the family home which upsets us lots as that s where I have grown up. It's got to a point now I don't want to go as my dad is so unkind to me and my children and makes me feel so guilty. My husband is sick of me crying and moaning as I feel so torn.  A family we have traveled 641 miles in the last 3 days and my brother and dad say I should do this everyday and put myself out I feel so lost.

  • It is so sad to see that your Mum's diagnosis has caused such division and petty arguments in the family, when really you should all be concentrating on her and her happiness in the coming days - if as you say that is all her prognosis is.  I am glad to see that you all spent Christmas with her and I hope that you made memories to cherish. 

    I can understand your Dad not feeling safe to deal with Mum's death alone at home - it would be a massive responsibility for him  to cope with if you and your brother are so far away and unable to be there to share in her care.  Not everyone feels able capable to deal with such a harrowing experience without reliable support.

    I am sure you feel torn and also hurt that your husband is so unsupportive at such a distressing time - it seems odd that he would be fed up with seeing you cry -  how else would he expect you to be if you are losing 'your Mum and best friend'?

    If your Mum's prognosis is days as you say - is there not a way you can stay with her next week and offer your Dad the support he so obviously feels he needs too?  Please ask the nurses on the ward to connect you to the McMillan Nurses or Palliative Care Team at the hospital who will offer you all their help - as a family - so that you can stay united and be there for your Mum at the end of her life.  This time should all be about her - not silly family squabbles that you will later regret.

    My thoughts are with you all and I hope you can sort things out and concentrate on your Mum asap x