Dad doesn't want us to see him die, but feeling guilty

Hello,

I'm new here and I am struggling to cope after dad's shocking diagnosis. So this might be a wall of text I will try keep to facts. Dad was 1st taken in to hospital in Jan 21 had trouble breathing thought he had a chest infection but doc told us to call an ambulance and we from there dad was told he had cancer in his lungs and alot of blood clots too he also had something on his liver but unsure what. Dad had liver and lung biopsy and we had normal weeks up till April he started to lose his appetite for anything he was anxious alot and all he wanted was sleep it got to the point he was sleeping pretty much 24/7. A week ago he took a stroke in the house with his speech effected and I knew so I held his hand told him I loved him we all did. So my mum went to see him in hospital and completely broke down after. He asked if he was dying and if it was okay to go now which ofc it is u have fought enough. I say fought enough cause this is now where we were told dad had the most aggressive stage 4 cancer throughout his body. Dad made it clear he didn't want us watching him die and after seeing my mum she said she couldn't watch it either. We know what is going to happen and all he does now is sleep he doesn't eat and is going to be going to hospice. Thing is I know what my dad wanted but I feel so guilty cause I dont want to see him like that and he didn't want me to but I do want to in a way but I want to see my dad how he was and I won't ever get to again. Am I wrong for following what my dad and mum want I dont want him to think I'm abandoning him or don't love him. 

  • Hi Nina,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm so sorry to hear of what you dad and all of you are going through with this. I can only imagine how incredibly difficult this must be and I can completely understand your dilemma.

    I think if your decision is you'd rather not see him, you have no reason at all to feel guilty. It's a very personal thing and you can take reassurance from his wishes that he already expressed to you about this.

    If you decide you'd like to see him, that's completely up to you as well, and you could always visit to say hello or just be there with him, especially if this would give you some peace of mind.

    Whatever you choose, try to be at peace with your decision and as I say I don't feel you have any reason to feel guilty.

    Hopefully you will receive further replies from others on the forum who may have been through, or are going through, something similar.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator