Hi all im new to this... this past week my stepdad has been recently diagnosed with a form of cancer although were not yet sure which, initially presumed to be primarily liver which has spread to the lungs following his biopsy it seems that it has started somewhere completely different but not sure where... Im currently in my third year of a health based course at university, because of this people are asking me questions about results and tests and prognosis, with a basic understanding after caring for people in similiar siutations i feel like i should be able to answer and cope pretty well, im good at showing on the outside that im doing ok and being strong but on the inside its really getting to me, when im busy everything is fine but when im on my own i feel so lost and confused, scared about what happens next after witnessing what has happened to others. Iv spoken to me tutor at university who has given me some compassionate leave and has explained if i need more then a doctors sick note is required, because iv been able to keep how i feel inside i cant help but feel that if i go to my GP people will think im using this as an opportunity to get further time off university as lots of assignments are due to be submitted soon. I feel very confused and unsure what to do? one side of me says that i should be able to cope and go back and carry on until a further update with everyone else in my family also coping very well yet the other side says i cant go back with the way im feeling..