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Insensitive comment on death post caused argument

59 replies

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 27/07/2021 21:53

My dad died last week. He suffered from Kidney Cancer and had a nephrectomy, which recurred, but was controlled by Paz, until he was diagnosed with primary Pancreatic Cancer in March, then all treatment stopped.

He actually died from kidney failure. It was pretty horrific. He went into hospital following a fall, had numerous bicarb infusions to treat severe acidosis, which failed, then treatment stopped. We fought tooth and nail to get him home fast, before he died.

We saw the Funeral Director today and got the date for the funeral, I put it on Facebook as asked by my mum, so people could come.

Someone from the past, but on my friends list, messaged me saying he would like to come but needed accommodation (no way). He then asked when it happened (he could have looked at my past posts - it was there).

He then replied that my dad had a good innings. I was stunned and didn't reply.

OK he was over 70, but he suffered horrifically with the treatments for the KC and with the death of my brother last year. He has spent the last year puking and shitting himself (sorry for TMI).

Someone else called him out and I blocked him. My sister then phoned me up telling me I'd over-reacted by blocking him. She said he wasn't being nasty and it was just a thing people say and I'd taken it the wrong way and he wasn't being nasty. I asked her if one of her friends dads had died would she say that at least they'd lived to a good age? She said "well no...but".

I'm now doubting myself. I don't really care about this person, they're not someone I talk to anyway, but did I over-react?

I can imagine thinking someone lived to a good age, but I wouldn't say it on a someone's personal FB page about the death of their loved one.

Dsis is having her birthday party this weekend, despite dad's death, so maybe she isn't the best barometer of what is right or wrong, but she's cried and I haven't, so maybe I'm just going mad?

OP posts:
Terhou · 27/07/2021 22:54

I can't see that that justifies blocking someone, it seems pretty inoffensive.

markmichelle · 27/07/2021 23:15

Very sorry about your Dad and the suffering he had. My Mother was in a lot of pain and a similar age, my father not so painful and 84.
Remarks like 'had a good innings' are common among mates who are talking among themselves after a month or two. When feelings have softened a little.
They should not be uttered to a close relative and especially not so close to his passing.

EarringsandLipstick · 27/07/2021 23:17

@saraclara

I hate the saying something and getting it wrong though, it is much worse than not saying anything at all

A lot of people feel the opposite, and find people ignoring or avoiding them to be the worst thing. And this is the problem with bereavement. We're all different, and it makes it even harder for people to know what to say/whether to say anything to us when we lose someone.

When my DH died much too early, there were the people who got it right, the people who tried but obviously felt safest sticking to platitudes, and there were the occasional ones who were clumsy or who got it wrong FOR ME, but what they said might have been right for others.
The thing was that all those people tried. And though I winced a couple of times, I didn't hold it against them at all. It's not like I'm good at expressing condolences myself, even having gone through that.

Excellent post sara & I'm really sorry about your DH. ❤️
EarringsandLipstick · 27/07/2021 23:17

@Terhou

I can't see that that justifies blocking someone, it seems pretty inoffensive.
OP's updates give the wider context.
EKGEMS · 27/07/2021 23:27

He's got diarrhea of the mouth. I would have come down on him like a ton of bricks if he spouted off after a loved one close to me had died. I'm so sorry you've lost so many close to you. Your sister needs to back off too.

EarringsandLipstick · 27/07/2021 23:29

Your sister needs to back off too.

Her sister is also grieving.

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 27/07/2021 23:49

I think all your comments are valid and I was beginning to feel a bit guilty, then, looking back I saw a post he made when Prince Philip died, saying how sad he was, I commented at the time, saying PP was lucky that he'd the best care guven to him (aware of my dad's recent Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis and the withdrawal of treatment), and he turned on me for it. Maybe I was insensitive, but as far as I know he didn't know PP therefore wasn't bereaved. His own mother is in her 90s and he is always posting about how much he worries about her, about taking to the hospital, caring for her, it never occurred to me to suggest to him he just let nature take it's course...

My youngest DD was a baby when she died, so many people told me maybe it was "for the best" I will NEVER forgive that

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 28/07/2021 00:08

My youngest DD was a baby when she died, so many people told me maybe it was "for the best" I will NEVER forgive that

I'm so sorry. I'm especially sorry that you were hurt by insensitive comments like this.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 28/07/2021 00:22

i am so sorry for your loss,
it was just an expression.
no harm meant by it op.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 28/07/2021 00:24

but totally your call to block him,
Thanks

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 28/07/2021 13:00

@saraclara Sorry for the loss of your DH Flowers

I wrote a very long post in the early hours, but it got lost somehow after I posted it.

I am a mess. I miss my Dbro. I think we all do. My dad, probably the most; certainly he was most visibly distressed.

Dbro was the 'gel'. He was able to stop mum from being highly strung and having a go at dad (this isn't a flaw as such, this is how she related, she is less emotional than dad was), Dbro was able to keep Dsis under control (I do love Dsis, but she is very, very forceful, very prone to fits of temper, slamming doors, claims she wants to 'win', mum and I tend to acquiesce to her and give in, Dbro was able to stand up to her more), for me he was my confidant and that was mutual.

We don't know why Dbro died. He had double vision, went to the GP, who sent him to A&E, who in turn sent him to Oxford, who diagnosed him with a stroke, then discharged him.

He then started falling. Was admitted to hospital again. Another MRI decided that he hadn't had a stroke after all, in fact they decided that his symptoms (by now including weak leg and arm muscles and slurred speech), were 'psychological'.

Then he was reviewed again, sent to a specialist neurological centre. Had several lumbar punctures, MRIs, CAT scans, etc, etc. Several illnesses were ruled out such as Myasthenia Gravis, MS etc. But they didn't know what was wrong.

After a few months we were called into hospital. His condition had stabilised, but he couldn't see properly. His eyes looked in different directions, he couldn't walk, talk properly or grip.

His frontal brain showed damage, but it wasn't caused by a stroke, though they couldn't say what had caused it. He had tested positive to Lymphoma, but oncology had said as his symptoms weren't typical they weren't prepared to see him.

As the condition had settled, and wasn't expected to worsen, they decided to send him to a rehabilitation hospital so he could regain some function and independence.

Then Covid happened. The hospital was recommissioned as a Covid hospital (and NEVER used) and Dbro was sent to languish in a care home miles and miles away.

We weren't allowed to visit, but the care home said he wasn't eating (and clearly they weren't caring for him either).

After a few months we were told he was in hospital with a UTI. Then had a call saying he had aspiration pneumonia, and we could visit him.

What we saw was a shock. He'd been a big man. Despite of muscle wasting he was emaciated...he looked like a POW. His beard was down to his waist. We found out the care home had expressed concerns that his ability to swallow had ceased, yet the hospital had tried to get him to feed and water himself, leading to his death.

We asked for a post mortem and were denied. We were desperate to know what caused his underlying illness, especially as all the doctors believed it to be genetic, they kept on saying they may or may not find it on PM, so it was not worth doing! I am so, so bitter about it.

I miss him so much. He should be here, helping. Dad told the doctors to deal with me (and it is me who is dealing with the practical things now), as I'm quite good at practical things, in a way a bit like Dbro, mum forgets things, Dsis tells people about her problems, I deal with what needs to be done, but right now, apart from doing what needs to be done, I'm kind of dizzy, not with it.

Dad died just after DD1 left primary school. I picked her up, left her with DH, went round to see him. Mum answered the door. The FN nurses had just gone and she said he was the same. As soon as I walked in I knew he was gone. He was still warm, but I could just sense it...I was literally just too late.

He was so proud of DD getting into grammar and said he wanted to drive her there. I'm ruining her holiday as all I've done since she's broke up last week is deal with things.

Everyone else thinks I'm doing OK as I'm dealing with everyone, all friends/relatives, telling them when the funeral is etc, organising for them to see him to say goodbye, etc.

I haven't even cried yet.

DD has psoriasis and a skin tag under her eye, I'm now panicking that it is something else, she's waiting for dermatology, but I keep waiting for the next thing to go wrong...

I haven't even cried yet. I feel like an emotionless monster.

OP posts:
mbosnz · 28/07/2021 13:33

I'm so sorry for your loss OP. I absolutely understand your anger at the comment, I had a person say exactly the same thing after my Dad lost his battle with cancer of the oesophagus at 76. I was 28. I remember wailing at her, 'but I didn't!' It doesn't matter how old they were, it doesn't matter how old you are, it's always too soon when you lose someone beloved to you.

You're not emotionless. You're numb. You're beyond exhausted. You've been going through every day, every step, of your Dad's suffering since he was first diagnosed. You've been grieving, you've been fighting.

BlueSurfer · 28/07/2021 13:34

@WishIWasSomewhereElse

I think all your comments are valid and I was beginning to feel a bit guilty, then, looking back I saw a post he made when Prince Philip died, saying how sad he was, I commented at the time, saying PP was lucky that he'd the best care guven to him (aware of my dad's recent Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis and the withdrawal of treatment), and he turned on me for it. Maybe I was insensitive, but as far as I know he didn't know PP therefore wasn't bereaved. His own mother is in her 90s and he is always posting about how much he worries about her, about taking to the hospital, caring for her, it never occurred to me to suggest to him he just let nature take it's course...

My youngest DD was a baby when she died, so many people told me maybe it was "for the best" I will NEVER forgive that

I’m so sorry.Flowers I’ve been told that about my DD dying as well and also that it was ok because I was still young so could have another child.
HerrenaHarridan · 28/07/2021 13:51

Oh op ❤️

You’re allowed to be a bit too harsh with people when you’re grieving. They can suck it up and support you or back off.
Keep this person blocked and focus on you just now.

Im so sorry about the comments about your dd too. My friend had so many like that when his mum had cancer... 4 kids at home and folk from the local church all kept saying ‘everything happens for a reason’

No it bloody well doesn’t

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 28/07/2021 13:56

@BlueSurfer Flowers so sorry, it's just such a nonsense, but hurtful, thing to say. I had it too (though I wasn't that young, and despite still having periods, I'm pretty sure I'm menopausal now, and it was 9 years ago).

@mbosnz Sorry about your dad. You articulated it so well, it's not just the life of those who died, but those who are left behind, they are robbed of milestones with those loved ones x

OP posts:
billy1966 · 28/07/2021 14:27

@Fluffyandsilly

It was a really insensitive thing for that person to say. The only time I could see that even being close to an appropriate phrase to use is perhaps if someone dies peacefully in their sleep in their 90’s.

I’m sorry for your loss.

This is a good innings. People say it as a compliment to a family member to remind them of a good life, well regarded, loved and lived.

Certainly not applicable in the case of a 70 year old man that had a long painful death, having lost his child a year earlier.

70 is no age now.
I am so sorry.
You must be reeling.

Blocking this person has served a purpose, don't give it another thought.

I lost someone very close, very suddenly last year and within hours some stupid air head that knew her vaguely told me wasn't it great her organs had gone all over the country.
I hadn't known and whilst I have always told everyone I would like to be a donor, the idea that her body parts were being shipped all over the country just devastated me in the moment. I wanted to slap her. Really slap her.
It passed quickly and was all just part of the shock.

People consumed by grief are rightly very sensitive and I know from the experience some people say awfully stupid shite to parents who have lost a child🙄.

Polkadots2021 · 28/07/2021 14:35

@WishIWasSomewhereElse

My dad died last week. He suffered from Kidney Cancer and had a nephrectomy, which recurred, but was controlled by Paz, until he was diagnosed with primary Pancreatic Cancer in March, then all treatment stopped.

He actually died from kidney failure. It was pretty horrific. He went into hospital following a fall, had numerous bicarb infusions to treat severe acidosis, which failed, then treatment stopped. We fought tooth and nail to get him home fast, before he died.

We saw the Funeral Director today and got the date for the funeral, I put it on Facebook as asked by my mum, so people could come.

Someone from the past, but on my friends list, messaged me saying he would like to come but needed accommodation (no way). He then asked when it happened (he could have looked at my past posts - it was there).

He then replied that my dad had a good innings. I was stunned and didn't reply.

OK he was over 70, but he suffered horrifically with the treatments for the KC and with the death of my brother last year. He has spent the last year puking and shitting himself (sorry for TMI).

Someone else called him out and I blocked him. My sister then phoned me up telling me I'd over-reacted by blocking him. She said he wasn't being nasty and it was just a thing people say and I'd taken it the wrong way and he wasn't being nasty. I asked her if one of her friends dads had died would she say that at least they'd lived to a good age? She said "well no...but".

I'm now doubting myself. I don't really care about this person, they're not someone I talk to anyway, but did I over-react?

I can imagine thinking someone lived to a good age, but I wouldn't say it on a someone's personal FB page about the death of their loved one.

Dsis is having her birthday party this weekend, despite dad's death, so maybe she isn't the best barometer of what is right or wrong, but she's cried and I haven't, so maybe I'm just going mad?

OP I'm so sorry for your loss and for everything you've been through. You don't have the bandwidth to take on other people's feelings, care or be expected to decipher what someone on Facebook means or doesn't mean at this moment, and everyone should understand that, including your sister.
billy1966 · 28/07/2021 14:40

Oh OP, your poor brother, how absolutely dreadful.

And your darling daughter.
So much terrible grief.
Truly terrible.

Flowers
senoritarita · 28/07/2021 15:08

You are not wrong. It's a bloody silly thing to say. Prince Philip had a good innings. Not a 70 year old.

Or did person just mean that he'd had a good life and got confused

It does seem a young age to die and not to be trivialised by comparing it to a game of cricket

PieceOfString · 28/07/2021 15:12

The only time you*might pheasibly comment on a good innings is if the deceased was at least 90 and even then not to their nearest and dearest, for whom, so sorry for your loss is the a better choice.
Not just that comment though but the CF request for accommodation. He sounds like he's have treated it as a free meal and show.
You need to give your sister the full context and tell her writing about how your choice to block is perceived is not the main driver behind your choices in this matter.

Notaroadrunner · 28/07/2021 15:24

Wow, you really have been through the ringer @WishIWasSomewhereElse. Sympathy to you and your family at this sad time.

Leave that idiot blocked. Did he really expect someone to arrange accommodation for him - fucking cheek. As for what he said about your dad, yes I heard plenty of the same when dad died. A good innings! And also when my son died I heard that same shite - you're young, you'll have another baby, isn't it better he died than be left disabled blah fucking blah. People talk such shite and think they are helping Hmm. I'm stronger now but at the time those comments really upset me.

Learn from your dbro - don't take shit from your sister or anyone else anymore. You now be the one to stand up to her. She thinks you were over reacting. Let her think what she wants. All you need to say is that you do not need to be dealing with idiots right now and you won't be engaging with people who expect you to organise accommodation, etc. That is not your responsibility for anyone. Let your sister have him to stay if she's so bloody concerned about him!

Spiritwriter · 28/07/2021 15:36

I am so sorry.
Let me get this straight...you have lost your daughter, your brother, and now your dad?
Oh my goodness. My goodness. This is. A Lot.
You're not being unreasonable. You're hurting. And need sensitivity and tender love.
I never posted on fb about my losses last year. Because I didn't want those nonchalant comments or platitudes that inevitably seem to rise up because humans don't know how to be fully human.
I think a break from fb could be very good for you, or really using it in a way that works for you.
It all really does need to be for you.
Your poor father. I don't know which is worse for us to feel, the suffering our loved ones go through, or the loss we feel when they go.
I am so sorry for everything.
You sound an incredibly strong person.
I wish you so much peace.

Sunshineaftermorningrain · 28/07/2021 15:37

You’ve gone through so much and I am so sorry Flowers

Sn0tnose · 28/07/2021 15:50

It was all beyond shitty, from the request for accommodation right through to the comments. I think you were very restrained and dignified in your response.

Your sister is grieving in her own way but she has sod all right to tell you that anything was an over-reaction.

notanatural2018 · 28/07/2021 16:24

My dad died in his 60s if a rare aggressive cancer and I also had this said to me. It hurt, of course, but I don't think there was any malice. It is something people just say. I'd try not to give it too much head space and so what you need to do, to get through this

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