**Potential trigger**

[AdamNichol]

First one of these, so hope I've used the trigger thing correctly.

My parents live around 300 miles away. My father is dying from cancer. Rapidly. Diagnosed in the summer, with months to live. Initially, we didn't think he'd last this long. There have been a succession of recent declines, and it's all a bit touch and go right now.

Anyway, we have plans to visit in the days between Xmas and New Year; albeit a bit tentative due to his health.
DS is 7. He knows his grandad is ill, but nothing more than that.
If we are able to visit as planned, do we let DS know it'll be the last time he sees his grandad? If it weren't christmas, I'd be more inclined to let him know; but it's a magical time of year for a 7yr old - and I don't want to taint it. DW and me both just go round in circles on this.
Any MN wisdom? Thanks.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I think you should prepare your son and let him know it might be the last time he sees him. There might be something he wants to say or he might want to him him an extra hug...

My DD's are 10 & 14 so I appreciate there's a big age difference to your DS, but, my Nan passed away on Sunday, she'd has cancer for nearly 3 years, we were told a week ago that she only had hours to live, I told the girls what was happening, and they asked if they could visit her.

So I took them along to the hospice last Thursday to say their goodbye's, and although it was very sad and upsetting for them at the time, they don't regret it, and are glad they got to spend that time with her.

I was 7 when my grandad passed away. He’d been in and out of hospital, but had been discharged home.

We’d been to see him and when I left I said “see you tomorrow!” He had a heart attack that night and passed away.

I was incredibly traumatised by the fact that I didn’t realise it could potentially be the last time I saw him. Nobody could have predicted it, but I think if you can prepare your son then it would be best.

Really sorry to hear that you’re going through this xx

Thanks all. Gives us some more to mull over.