Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, the author grapples with unresolved childhood trauma stemming from an alcoholic father and a mother in psychiatric care. As the eldest daughter, she's taken on caring responsibilities while distilling her own emotional pain. Living in estrangement from her father and his new family, she faces a dilemma of whether to reveal her diagnosis to them. Her brother advises against contacting their family, fearing potential hurtful comments. This tension reveals the struggle of seeking approval while managing unresolved feelings of hurt and resentment.
The emotional weight of unresolved childhood issues has become increasingly difficult to bear following my stage 4 cancer diagnosis.
My brother's advice not to tell our family about the cancer stems from the fear of potentially hurtful comments, highlighting the complex family dynamics we share.
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