My dearest sister has been receiving chemo for the last 7+ years - the French health care she has received has been fantastic. However, just in the last week, she has become very weak to the point of not being able to speak on the phone, has been on 3 drips (?glucose, anti-inflammatory & something else...anti-nausea?) at home, with nurses coming in 3 times a day. For the last 24 hours she has had hiccups and gastric reflux and they are now talking about transferring her to hospital tonight or tomorrow so that she can have a scan and receive more frequent checks.
Both my sister and her partner remain extremely 'upbeat' (in denial?) - although we know that all the care she has received has been palliative, her partner is still talking about the hospital being able to 'sort her out'. I don't believe this is possible. But our family, as a rule, have never "talked about" things like this...unfortunately. We've never been an "I love you" family (again, unfortunately), but I want to wish my sister well and say "goodbye" - without actually saying "goodbye"? Bearing in mind she probably can't talk to me, I'm thinking about ringing her partner and asking him just to hold the phone to her ear so that I can say....what? I don't know what to say to her without making it obvious that I'm expecting this to be the last time I talk to her? With the coronavirus, I can't go and see her. I'm in bits. I don't want to lose her...
Does anyone have any advice?
Dear , I’m so sorry that no one has replied to your what seems to be a time sensitive post. I hope that voicing your quandary on here has helped you think through what action you wanted to take and what was possible at this time. I can only hope that your sister is ok still and that you are perhaps giving your brother in law help and that maybe he has advised what may be best.
My Cousin passed away last May a few short weeks after her diagnosis and although because of the distance I was not able to see her in those weeks, we stayed in contact as always on the phone and through our iPads, our goodbye was said at her very well planned and very positive feeling funeral, and in a way last goodbyes have not been said as I think of her often and the good times we had shared, and think of the positive influence she has had on others.
I am sure your sister will know you are thinking of her, and of course she will have to have a mindset of now and positivity, but will I am sure have thought but may have decided not to linger on the what ifs ahead.
Thank you KTatHome for your reply...I have to say I was disappointed with the lack of advice and wondered whether I had perhaps phrased my request wrongly. Or maybe people just felt I 'should' know? My sister has now been admitted to a hospital (in France) and doesn't have the energy to talk on the phone/online. I still send her little texts, and a few photos of my garden flowers as, of course, she is not allowed any 'real' flowers in her room - so yes, she does know I am thinking of her. There is just so much more that I 'wish' I could say but, without her acknowledging to me that she is dying (possibly to 'protect' me), I can't see a way of saying goodbye...
I don’t think I’ve felt the same desperation that you are feeling right now.
Have you noticed the group supporting someone with incurable cancer I will put the link below incase that group is helpful for you.
Best wishes
I wondered if you had noticed a post from , who is feeling similar emotions to yourself in the discussion link below.
I wondered if it would help to support each other and talk about how you are both feeling.
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
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