Lonastar, it is OK to cry. It is OK - normal in fact - to feel jealous of people out with their mums. The world will probably feel as if it's full of old people who still have their mums. You will probably feel angry, desperate, lonely and a whole bunch of other things - and all of these are normal for someone in your position. You can't protect other people from what is happening, be that your mum, your dad or your sister.  You can't put yourself between 'it' and them. You can only be there with them. To be able to do that now and in the longer term you have to look after yourself as well. You need to sleep - most of all you need to sleep - so you can cope with each day - one day, one hour, one minute at a time if necessary. You need to eat so you don't get ill. You need to be able to talk to someone outside your own family circle so you can cry, get angry, say anything without fear of upsetting people. Yes, at 21 you are an adult, but when your mum is dying, we are all children (I know - my mum is also dying). And you need and deserve support. Book yourself to see a GP - talk to them and ask for help about sleeping and eating. They can get you bereavement counselling or counselling to help you prepare for your mum's death. They may be able to put you in touch with other carers or people who understand. Contact MacMillan help line - 0808 808 0000 for advice and support. If your mum has a palliative care nurse (she should have) they are also there to help you and your family.  You may be able to get help for your sister through the local hospice. A lot of hospices have special schemes for children to help them prepare for a parent's death and to support them in bereavement and for as long as they need it afterwards. Talk to her school as well, if you haven't already, so they understand what is going on and can support her if she gets upset in school time. You have taken a brave step in asking for help here. Make sure you ask for help out there in the 'real' world too.

Lonastar, it is OK to cry. It is OK - normal in fact - to feel jealous of people out with their mums. The world will probably feel as if it's full of old people who still have their mums. You will probably feel angry, desperate, lonely and a whole bunch of other things - and all of these are normal for someone in your position. You can't protect other people from what is happening, be that your mum, your dad or your sister.  You can't put yourself between 'it' and them. You can only be there with them. To be able to do that now and in the longer term you have to look after yourself as well. You need to sleep - most of all you need to sleep - so you can cope with each day - one day, one hour, one minute at a time if necessary. You need to eat so you don't get ill. You need to be able to talk to someone outside your own family circle so you can cry, get angry, say anything without fear of upsetting people. Yes, at 21 you are an adult, but when your mum is dying, we are all children (I know - my mum is also dying). And you need and deserve support. Book yourself to see a GP - talk to them and ask for help about sleeping and eating. They can get you bereavement counselling or counselling to help you prepare for your mum's death. They may be able to put you in touch with other carers or people who understand. Contact MacMillan help line - 0808 808 0000 for advice and support. If your mum has a palliative care nurse (she should have) they are also there to help you and your family.  You may be able to get help for your sister through the local hospice. A lot of hospices have special schemes for children to help them prepare for a parent's death and to support them in bereavement and for as long as they need it afterwards. Talk to her school as well, if you haven't already, so they understand what is going on and can support her if she gets upset in school time. You have taken a brave step in asking for help here. Make sure you ask for help out there in the 'real' world too.