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Visit to terminally ill dad in hospital caused massive argument

13 replies

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 06/05/2021 15:27

I say argument, but my mum & I never actually argued or said a cross word.

Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the oncologist on Tuesday said he has 6 months at best (but told me privately that he thinks it will be much shorter). No treatment possible and the treatment for his other kidney cancer (separate type), was also discontinued.

We didn't get much chance to comfort him before he was whisked off and admitted for a possible blood clot and deteriorating kidney function.

My husband had the first day off in a week today, so we went to mum's. He suggested dropping some magazines off for dad, so took us to the hospital. Whilst talking to the nurse dad heard us and called out, so we were allowed to see him for a few minutes. He cried when he saw us and held mum's hands constantly.

My sister phoned whilst we were there. I gave the phone to him so he could speak to her. She told him that mum had won, that I'd stabbed her in the back and he started shaking. She told me it was unfair I'd seen dad and she hadn't (he was in hospital last month, she got to see him even though mum was refused entry). That we'd left her out. I tried to explain that it wasn't planned, and it was only due to hearing us that the nurse suggested we pop in.

I texted her on the way home, saying she could make an appointment and I'm sure he'd love to see her.

She was at mum's when we got there. She said I deliberately cut her out. She told my mum that mum wishes that she'd died instead of our brother, that mum killed my brother. That if dad dies it will be me and mum who is responsible.

She claimed I left her out of my brother's funeral, as people asked who she was (the only two people who didn't know her were two very close colleagues/friends of my brother's, who I knew socially). I wrote a poem for him and read it at his funeral. I gave my sister a poem so she had something to read. Apparently one of my dad's friends asked why she was left out of poem reading ?

She forgets that when we saw my brother in the chapel of rest she caused a scene as I wanted to see my brother alone but she insisted she had to be with me, same with mum & dad.

We are due our second Covid jabs (we had the first together). I had an appointment when my husband was off last week, but changed it for this weekend as she wanted us to go together, she now says I can get there myself (it is miles and not on a bus route and I don't drive), I wish I'd not changed for her.

I haven't argued with her, I tried to calm her, tried to cuddle her, but she won't talk.

I'm very, very stung. Dad has a limited time left and she's not thinking of him, only of herself, as if it's a competition.

I'm stung by my dad's friend and to be honest don't think I can talk to them again if they said what they did to my sister.

She said some unforgivable things to mum, but neither of us bit, both tried to concede, to assure her that she can visit dad... I feel like running away to be honest.

OP posts:
Chatanooga1 · 06/05/2021 15:33

Grief does strange things to people but she sounds very immature.

You explained that it was not a planned visit and you were only dripping off magazines but in her eyes she is thinking why did it take three of you to do so.

Of course you may have been hoping to see him and took that chance and were lucky that a nurse did allow you to see him.

Your sister sounds like she will cause a drama whatever happens so you can do no right for wrong!!

Pandering to drama queens only encourages them to act out more.

nitsandwormsdodger · 06/05/2021 15:35

She clearly has mh issues
Best to disengage from her

Tiktokersmiracle · 06/05/2021 15:38

Ignore
Chalk it up to extreme grief. Take her aside and calmly say, you have done nothing wrong, she is making a difficult situation harder, she needs to put your parents first.

If she still won't button it, don't engage again.

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 06/05/2021 15:39

@Chatanooga1 There weren't three of us, just my mum and me (I went with her and she is infirm), DH stayed in the car. I just don't want disharmony, she is my only sibling now and I love her. I don't want her upsetting dad in what time he has left.

OP posts:
justasking111 · 06/05/2021 15:41

Good advice here, ignore and disengage.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 06/05/2021 15:44

Much as you love her you need to tell her bluntly that she has to change her attitude as she is disturbing your DF and DM, she is being incredibly selfish.

You can't keep pandering to her, your DM will never cope with all of that - and your DF doesn't deserve an earful of hate and guilt when he is the position he is in!

Basically phone her back, or go and see her, and ask her how she fucking dared say such things to your DPs at a time like this?

Some people are utterly unbelievably self absorbed! I am sorry your DSis is one of them Flowers for you all!

Maxiedog123 · 06/05/2021 16:14

What is she usually like? This all sounds very abnormal.. does she have mental health issues?

LondonJax · 06/05/2021 16:19

She does sound very immature as others have said and how on earth could someone think of unloading on a dying person like she did?

Unfortunately some people are all me, me, me. I have a sibling like that. It takes her half an hour to ask how you are - after she's off loaded everything from her man trouble to her broken finger nail. She's been like it for 50 plus years so we know she won't change now despite numerous (and heated) arguments and gentler talks over a coffee.

She needs to be told, though, that she needs to back off both your parents. If she wants to talk about any 'injustice' she can bring it to you. You've got enough on your plate yourself but your mum is losing her husband and your dad is losing his life. Her little grievances pale into insignificance.

I am so sorry you're having to go through this.

Aquamarine1029 · 06/05/2021 16:20

Stop talking or communicating with her in any way. You are only feeding the beast if you do. Block her entirely.

CadburyCake · 06/05/2021 16:25

Sorry, she told your bereaved mother, with a recently diagnosed as terminally ill husband in hospital, that she killed her son/your brother? That she’s responsible for her husband’s cancer? I’d never speak to her again and I’d encourage my parents to do likewise. That behaviour is absolutely unforgivable. There’s no point reasoning with someone like that or trying to get them to change their attitude, I’d just stop taking her calls or answering her texts.

ItsCokeFFS · 06/05/2021 16:31

and I love her

Why - she sounds awful.

Sounds like you have quite enough on your plate at the moment without dealing with a princess tippy toes tantrum.

SavannahLands · 06/05/2021 16:31

It sounds to me that she is suffering from.Misplaced anger and is taking her frustrations over your Dads situation and her fear of loosing him.out on your poor Mum and Yourself. As hard as it seams, please don't take her bait, rise above her scrannying, and just be the bigger better person by walking away,, and not fanning her attention seeking flames any further.

Melitza · 06/05/2021 16:41

Your dsis is lucky that you love her.
She sounds absolutely awful.
Good god my 9 year old dgs would have more maturity and decency than that.
I think I would tell her that you’re all upset and she needs to start supporting her parents and stop wallowing.

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