Being an only child sucks

I feel for you, as I am in a similar position, of being an only child.
I do,however, agree with some of the others that having a sibling can be more of a hindrance, as I have seen with many of my friends. Also, the work tends to fall on the shoulders of just one of them, as others live abroad/miles away/ have fallen out with everyone etc etc.
The language would be a problem, but our local hospital offer a translator service, weak to the PALs office at your hospital to see if they offer the service.
Factor into my equation that I struggle to get on with my mother, she can be VERY difficult mentally, although is not senile or suffering from Alzeimhers.
She is anorexic, and in denial over it, the so called health professionals are totally useless. The anorexic tendencies have spilled over to other areas,and although she does not have OCD, she is verging on it in certain areas of her life.
So, I reckon being only child may not be as awful as some people have to cope with when they have siblings, but it is far from easy when you get aged parents with health issues whatever your situation. Sadly.

You probably won't be able to speak to the consultant at the hospital but if you phone and ask for the consutlant's secretary and ask if the consutlant could please write down advice for DM she might, if not too busy, pass that on and DM could bring the info to you.

died not dies (unfortunately )

trust me op, having siblings is absolutely no guarantee of any help or support

I looked after mum for years with no help from siblings at all

when she dies db was great (for a week!) amd older sister wasnt there for any of it, no help whatsoever

so I wish I was an only child and didnt carry a mountain of resentment around with me, even though mum is no longer here

Hi MrsWhirling - another only here! I never minded being an only child until my parents got older. My Dad died in 2002 and I have other supportive family but no one has the responsibility towards my Mum that I have.

When my Dad was ill my children were very young and it was very hard balancing children and parents. My Mum has been ill and is now very disabled
and in a nursing home near us which has its own own issues.

I also console myself that siblings are not always helpful - I have the fantasy of having a sister like my lovely best friend but thats not always the case!

Also if I make decisions there is no one to argue with me, just supportive dh and family who are just happy that I am doing things.

Good luck! xx

Its very tough for you, and you have good advice here re perhaps talking to the Consultant yourself after the appt. But rest assured, having a sibling wouldn't necessaraly make things easier. I have an terminally sick Dad, and a disabled brother in care. My other younger brother is worse than hopeless. He takes little or no interest and offers no practical help. I sometimes wish he would just piss off altogether and let me get on with things, as he is just a hindrance on the odd occasion when he does bother to involve himself (usually when £ involved).

I know it is lonely for you, but I have a sibling, and I feel that way too. At least you can be in control and don't have some eejit breathing down your neck when it suits them, and leaving you to cope alone when it doesn't.

I think 9 times out of 10 the bulk of it falls to one sibling anyway and that just adds insult to injury.

siblings often fall out at times like this! at least you dont have someone swanning in once a month telling you you're doing everything wrong!

Big hugs to you, i'm sure your mum understands that you'd like to be with her but can't on this occasion.

Can you speak to the hospital and see if they can get someone to translate? Or ask the consulant to speak to you on the phone after the appointment? Failing that ask your Mum to get them to write down the important bits for you to read.

I'm not an only child but my sibling lives too far away to be of any help. I feel it's only going to get worse as our parents get older

Its really hard caring for elderly parents when you have small children, but having siblings doesn't make it necessarily easier. I have a brother, but he does absolutely nothing for our very frail parents, and I actually find that worse than if there was no one else at all.

My dad gets consultants to write anything important down now, and then he can talk it through with me later - thats really helpful as I can't be with them for their many appointments.