I would advise not to hold the tears in and not to deny any of your emotions.

I'm the one with cancer. I have a wife and 6 children, all adults, and my concern is for them. For their emotional well-being. As a parent, if they feel sad/tearful, I want to be able to share their pain and attempt to comfort them. 

All of them have held me while they cried and told me they didn't want me to die. I held them and explained that everybody dies and what was important to me was them, their lives, their children. That they should continue to live their lives, to do well, according to their definition of well.

That they help where and when they can is appreciated but it's not a duty. They don't need to demonstrate strength, other than the strength to live.

I've had my life, death will come when it comes. They are important.

Regards

Taff

Hi so sorry you going through this terrible heartbreaking time. I have my mum diagnosed end June and now terminal and few weeks left the mcmillan nurse has said. I find it I am upset at home and not with my mum. It's so difficult to know what to say and my mum said few things but is accepting her diagnosis and is being so strong and brave . Make sure you get all help you need if your mum at home we have McMillan nurse district nurses and carers started today