Hi, 

dad was diagnosed with terminal oesophageal cancer in May this year. He was given 3-6 months and is only 54. Since May he has really pushed me away, he's hard to get hold of on the phone, barely replies to texts and always has an excuse to not see me. I have really struggled with this especially as I was pregnant at the time of his diagnoses, I now have a beautiful daughter who my dad has only met a handful of times (he only lives 6 miles away). I know it's not personal, he is in love with his granddaughter, and even has a tattoo of her name on his arm despite not being the tattoo type! I only found out from speaking to a friend of his that he spent last week in hospital and didn't tell me. I think I can answer my own question in that he is probably protecting me and doesn't want me to see him in this way but it hurts me so much. I love him and I want to help. I miss him so much and I know I will regret not being there as much as possible when he is gone.