Hi Jess-Jane,

I see that this is your first time on the forum, so I extend a very warm welcome to Cancer Chat.

I am so sorry to hear about your dad’s diagnosis and, have first-hand experience of just how difficult this is to cope with when you are both in different countries. All I can say is thank goodness for Skype/What’s App, etc. These were not available to me when my mum was diagnosed. Now, you can at least see one another regularly and talk to one another. Give your dad as much support as you can and let him know how much you love him. You mum will also need some support.

I hope that he is living in a country where he has access to good cancer treatment, as this can be a problem for many people living abroad, and adds an additional burden that they don’t need at this stage. Do you have any other siblings, or is there just the three of you?

News like this is never easy to accept. Your mum must be a strong lady to have been able to keep it from you over the holiday period. I do hope that you have friends or relatives who you can confide in in London. You will find that you need to have someone to rely on for support through this difficult time.

I am thinking of and praying for you all. Please keep in touch and let us know how things go. We are always here for you, whenever you want to talk.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello jess-jane; I really just watnted to add my welcome to that given by Jolamine.  I don't know how many friends you have made in London in the three months you have been here but hope that you will return to this forum if you need to talk about your feelings and share what you are going through.  I hope your mum has a good support network too. 

It must be very hard for you to be so far away (I presume it is very long distance from your saying "the other side of the world") but at least there is good communication now as Jolamine mentioned.  I really just wanted to add my hello and sympathy to you.