abusive sibling controlling dying dad

Over the last couple of years my dad and i have become friends, but three months ago, we heard he had terminal cancer. I was caring and cooking for him, and helping him sort out his meds, but a week ago i had to call for an ambulance, and the docs said this was the start of the end and he had maximum two weeks left. i have stayed at night some nights but the problem is that i have two siblings, one of whom is extremely controlling and aggresive. he uses put downs, insults and violence. it's easy to see that he upsets dad, but if you try to tell him that dad is upset he will say "oh well let's ask him shall we?" knowing that dad has very limited speech. I stayed at the hospital last night and dad said that he needs to see me alone bcos of the aggresive sibling. Dad even apologised for the siblings behaviour. He was crying about it but said not to mention it incase he hits me. I just dont know what to do knowing that it hurts dad so much to know that i cant stay or cant speak if that oaf is present and it hurts further knowing that dad simply doesnt want hm there. I have tried talking to the sibling but i get pinned up against the wall or kicked. i just dont want dad to be unhappy but it feels like this numskull will ensure that dad has a sad and lonely death :'-(

  • Hi Gemma, I'm sorry to hear about your Dad having this terrible illness and that he is so sick right now. It seems like something this tragic brings out the worst in some families, unfortunately. I'm not sure if you are male or female, but from your post, your sibling is a male, and also a bully apparently. What a terrible time for you to have to deal with this while trying to be supportive to your Dad. Perhaps you need to tell him to back off if he can't be a help, rather than a hindrance. Have someone with you and warn him that if he doesn't stop his bully tactics, you will lay a charge against him and follow through if he doesn't back off. He is being abusive to you. I wouldn't involve your Dad if you can possibly avoid doing that. He is in no shape to have to deal with this behaviour of your brother.

    Come back on here and let us know how you get along. Sending you hugs.

    Lorraine 

  • Hi Gemma

    I am sorry to hear of your awful predicament at a time when your dad needs lots of support and wont have the energy to deal with the bad feeling caused by your sibling.

    When my father was nearing the end it brought out strong emotions and some falling out between my siblings. These were emotions we did not know would happen or how to handle them, I urged them to make great allowances for each others behaviour which was out of character. However there was no physical violence. It may be best not to talk to or confront the sibling and visit your dad when you can without the sibling. You could make the hospital aware of your predicament, they may have a solution for you and also have security in place to protect you.