I lost my father to colon cancer

My dad died 2 months ago after a 2 year battle of stage 4 colon cancer . I feel very lonely in this moment as I live in a different country to where my dad was . My mother and my brother got to see him everyday they were involved in every step of the way ,I tried to go see him more than a couple of weeks in 2 years but he never wanted me to go ,either blaming it on me having a special needs child to take care of or that I didn't need to go because he wasn't dying yet .. I didn't have a bad relationship with him he just didn't like me going there (even before getting ill) . Anyway ,we had a very good relationship especially during my childhood and 1 month before dying he told me I'm kind and patient like his mother and not to let my brother and mom trick me out of money . 
Now that he's gone my brother and mother relationship strengthen even more ,he's more similar to her whereas I was more similar to my dad . My mom often talks about him and how  often my brother cries and how HE's suffering mind you he was very mean to him even when he was very sick and bedbound ,used sarcasm and wind him up by doing the opposite of what he asked ,during this period my dad was very agitated and angry he was going through a very hard moment when he lost alot of his bodily functions . Me missing my dad gets dismissed a lot ,I often get comments like "you were not here as much as your brother he saw him everyday " I texted my brother today saying I miss dad he replied "everybody does " . This "everybody" made me feel like he dismissed my feelings as my dads  daughter as if I'm being clumped with everyone else . I thought it was detached and cold . My mother always speaks highly of my brother how great and ruthless ar his career is and how successful he is and how much money he makes . She never seems to value me as a person ,my feelings are being dismissed even during this hard time . 

  • Hello Daliahsky and a warm welcome to Cancer Chat, 

    I am so sorry for your loss. It must be a rather lonely time for you living in another country from where your dad was. It's nice what your dad told you before dying I am sure his words will stay with you forever. 

    It's really sad that you feel you are being dismissed when you mention that you miss your dad and these comments are inevitably very hurtful. Try not to let these comments affect you too much even though it is hard and you feel you are unfairly treated. You know in your heart how special your relationship with your father was so don't let anyone else make you think otherwise and try and be emotionally distant and detached from what they are saying to you and to rise above that if you can and not to believe anything negative anyone says to you. 

    There is information on our website on coping with grief which I hope will be helpful to you and which will tell you more about the complexity of the grieving cycle and the range of emotions you might experience at the moment. If you feel you need to talk to someone about how you have been feeling since your dad passed away and the issues with your family, do talk to your GP about it and they may be able to suggest having grief counselling or talking to someone about everything you are going through at the moment. 

    We're thinking of you during this difficult time. I will now let our members who have lost a loved one to cancer and experienced a similar family situation come and say hello and share their story with you. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator