Cindy,

I'm 55 and recently went through an experience with my 83-year old mother about a medical condition of hers (not cancer) about which she's been in denial for quite some time. I finally got fed up with the fact that her own doctor didn't seem clued in to the seriousness of it and did some investigation on my own about some alternative sources of consultation and treatment. When I first brought it up with her, she said she didn't want me to "waste my time" dealing with taking her to appointments and looking further into the other options. However, when I became more insistent (gently), she agreed to go along. When it was all done, she thanked me for getting involved and helping her understand there WAS a better answer than what she had been passively putting up with.

It's good that you're doing so much to try to help your parents. I hope they come around to the point of seeing the value in what you're doing so that they are better prepared for what's ahead.

Cathy