Not to go and see my very elderly dad after a fall?

[BarbaraVineFan]

My 86 year old dad has just rung me to say he fell over in the street today and has cut his hand and injured his wrist- possibly broken, he is at hospital now. I really want to go to him but

-I don't drive and we are almost 3 hours away by public transport
-the trains are messed up today and so we would need to change 3 times
-I have 5 year old DD who has a nasty cold and is very tired as she hasn't been sleeping well. I am a single mum and have nobody to leave her with overnight.
-I would have to go tonight and come back tomorrow, as I have to be at work on Monday

Is it very bad not to go and see him? He is adamant that he doesn't want us to come and is fine. But I feel guilty. What would you do?

Haven't RTFT so apologies if this has been said - but I am only 60 and tripped and broke my wrist a couple of months ago. It was very different from the three times my DCs have fractured theirs - I snapped the heads off both bones and one was shattered, and I had to have it reset in a very brutal manner.

It has been a total nightmare! I had not realised quite how useless we are with one arm! I couldn't open jars or put on socks or carry washing or anything, for weeks. I could barely get dressed. I was so glad I have a DH and two DC as I don't know how I would have coped..... I couldn't wash properly (tried a bath - really awkward, tried a shower with my arm in a bag in the air, really painful) and couldn't wash under my left arm at all or put on deodorant, and couldn't dry myself after washing. Couldn't even scratch an itch...... And I didn't break my dominant arm - must be even worse if you do.

I still can't open jars or peel potatoes or slice bread or all sorts - and this was late August. Please don't underestimate how hard things are going to be for your Dad on his own - I honestly was gobsmacked. Can you invite him to stay with you? Would he admit if he is struggling?

Too far. You shouldn’t feel guilty . Any chance of him moving closer to you?

It is surprising how debilitating a broken wrist is. It is very worrying for you, its kind of yur dad to say these things, but he probably old school, and proud. He really needs help.
Remember you are entitled to unpaid emegency time off for dependants who need your help, which your dad would fall under. 3 hours is not that long a journey, i really think you need to go and assess the situation