My dying dad - how can I help my mum understand what is happening is normal?

Hi there,

my Dads blood cancer has come back and we’ve been told he has weeks or months left. He doesn’t want to be here anymore. He told my sister the other day that the process of dying is tiresome. Anyway, he’s currently in hospital as he has been really short of breath and had 10kg of fluid drained off. My mum messaged me and my sister tonight to say he’s not really eating unless she feeds him and she’s really disappointed in him. 
I felt like shouting at her saying what do you expect, he’s dying! How can I help my Mum to understand that what is happening to my Dad is natural and normal? 
their next appointment to see the oncology team isn’t until December 14th. 

  • Hello PioneerRev

    I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's diagnosis and that you've been told he only has a short time left. Naturally it's a difficult time for you all at the moment and understandable that your Mum is struggling to process how your Dad is feeling and behaving. 

    It's good to hear that your Dad is in hospital so that his symptoms can be managed and he is as comfortable as possible. That may also relieve some of the weight that comes with caring for a loved one for your Mum. 

    People process the news that a loved one is approaching the end of their life in different ways and I can understand that your Mum is perhaps disappointed. It may be that she feels your Dad isn't making an effort when in fact he is exhausted from the effort that he is already making each day. Don't be afraid to gently have that conversation with your Mum. It may help her to process everything and open up about how she's really feeling about everything. 

    I know that this is a difficult time for you all PioneerRev. Be kind to yourselves as you navigate these next few weeks and months. Keep in touch here on the forum if it helps to have somewhere to vent, ask questions, or chat with others who understand. We'll do our best to try and support you. 

    Thinking of you all, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator