I feel powerless...

Last August my stepfather was diagosed with a maliganat brain cancer, stage 4. He got surgery but sadly the cancer is back and yesterday we found out he has less than two months left. I feel so sad, mad but mainly powerless. It is not the first time I have to copy with cancer in my life as I lost my biological mom when I was 9 years old,  but I guess it was different then because I was really young and I did not understand..  I am incredibly scared about the future, especially because I cannot imagine my life without him, he is one of the most important person in my life. I have a sense of guilt as well because I cannot be with him, he lives in Italy and I am in the UK and due to the current Coronavirus emergency I cannot even go home and say goodbye.. Everybody keeps telling me I have to be strong and that this is life but I refuse to believe it... If you had a similar experience and you would like to share it it would be so useful. Thank you! 

 

  • Hello PriscillaP, 

    I just wanted to welcome you to our forum. You have come to the right place to talk to others who understand how you are feeling at the moment and how difficult it is not to be able to go and see a loved one at the moment who lives away. Sadly there is nothing you can do about this at the moment but I am sure your stepfather knows that you are thinking of him at the moment. Perhaps you could instead give him a call or communicate regularly with him and his family in Italy via video call? Do not feel guilty I am sure they know that you are thinking of them at the moment and that it is just not possible for you to make the trip in the current climate. 

    I am so sorry to hear you lost your mum at such a young age it must have been rather traumatic for you as a child and it must be hard for you to have to relive all this again now with your stepfather. 

    I just wanted you to know that we are all here for you anytime you need to talk and that we are thinking of you and your loved ones during this challenging time. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator