My brother has been battling bowel cancer for over a year now, and has had two rounds of chemo and radiotherapy, plus several operations.

He is in a hospice at the moment getting treatment for his symptoms, and to help build his strength up. My parents have been going to see him a lot and taking him back and forth to appointments, as he doesn't drive. He is based in Bucks and we are in Nofolk, so this is pretty intense for them on almost a weekly basis. Considering they are in their 70s, they are being amazingly supportive and I'm sure it must be very tiring both emotionally and physically for them.

Last week, it was literally 50/50 as to whether he was going to survive. If he hadn't been in the hospice, I don't think he would have lived this long to be honest.

Both my parents and husband have visited him and say he literally looks like he is at death's door - he is very thin and has lost loads of weight. I've been warned to prepare myself as it is very shocking seeing him so ill.

I will be visiting him next week, so am finding it hard to deal with emotionally. I know he has improved a lot since being in the hospice over the past couple of weeks, so that is really good news, but I'm just not sure how I will deal with him looking so ill.

Any advice would be appreciated please.:)