16 year old brother terminal

My brother got diagnosed with osteosarcoma back in April last year. I really had so much hope that things were going to get better after on going a huge operation in his leg to replace all his bones and joints with titanium! He now can't mobilise very well as he has had to learn how to walk again! At Christmas last year we got the news he is no longer to get anymore treatment as the cancer was too aggressive. I genuinely can't cope with the news and can't stop wondering what he is thinking. I can't imagine what's going through his head and my mum and dad are just so so sad. All my brothers and sisters deal with it in a different way but me being the closest too him, no children and staying at home it's really making me depressed. I am trying to live in the moment rather than think about the future and reality but I don't know if this is ever going to get better. My brother has started to isolate himself and him being a teenager he doesn't speak and has a big attitude which is obviously understandable. But that makes its harder as I feel every time I say something it's wrong. Will it ever get better? Is this the way my brother is going to be? What can I do to help everyone?  

  • Hi there, this is so sad.  Is there any counselling available that could help your brother or family? I can imagine your brother must be pretty angry inside that this is happening to him at such a young age. Have you spoken to your parents. I can't imagine what you're all going through. Take care x

  • Thanks for replying Michelle, since day 1 my brother has never opened up about how he feels about everything and overall is a very strong human for a 16 year old. I don't think he will ever speak to anyone, he is just at that stubborn age and doesn't like talking about his emotions. It's hard to cope with this when no one knows how he feels and doesn't know how to approach him some days. It's a little like walking on egg shells cause you don't want to upset him. It's understandable and we understand but it's very difficult to deal with. I just feel it's not my little brother anymore and the anger he feels is coming out on his loved ones. But then again I would rather him express it on us rather than his younger friends not understanding and him doing it on them. I have spoke to my family and my parents know how to handle him but it's just the brothers and sisters that are struggling how to deal weigh him and i don't know if he understands how much watching your youngest be terminally ill and can't do anything about it is hurting us. I just wonder where we are all going to be after this bad place a lot of the time and if we will be able to pick ourselves up and deal with all this. I think about all my family members hoping they don't spiral down hill

  • Hi Stewnata

    So sorry about your brother's cancer and how it is affecting everyone in your family.

    Would it help to talk to our nurses? They are only a phone call away.

    You can call the team on freephone: 0808 800 4040 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

    They will be happy to advise you.

    Please come here to chat and let us know how you are getting on anytime you feel it would be helpful to talk to others who will understand how you are feeling now.

    Best wishes

    Jane