Cancer diagnosis and living on other side of world

[Cakeandeatingit]

My beloved father is 80. He has had a good innings considering his health in the last two decades has not been great. He has however just told me he has colon cancer and we don’t yet know what stage. I’ve just landed a big new job. Elderly parents live Down Under and I’m 24 hours away with a young family. I feel so guilty. We are planning a visit next year in any case but it’s not the same as BEING there, is it? What would you do? He has also had the most amazing early life and I feel doubly guilty for not documenting that.

I guess it’s a pretty rare situation and not many mnetters live a 24 hour flight away from their parents!

Not that far away but abroad and had a very poorly DM for last few years. Constant guilt and too much travelling - I’m there every few months and call several times a week, but as you say not nearly the same as being there. Has your DH any other family around (big prob for me: single child, mum living in her own). It’s very difficult - I keep thinking that after she’s gone I’ll regret not spending more time

Sorry to hear about your situation @Leyani. It is so hard. Sometimes I guess it’s about quality time, not quantity. If your family is anything like mine, we would drive each other nuts if we lived too nearby. Make your time with her count and get as many memories down as you can. I should follow my own advice...