[emmacj]

Sstuart,

I cried when I read your reply, it's good to know I'm not the only one feeling like this! I feel like I've let my mum down, because she's been so good to me when I was sick, now it's her turn all I seem to do is complain.

I live in Australia. We've tried getting help through our local council, but the only help they'll give us is an hour & a half per fortnight where someone comes & cleans the house. They said they can't help any more because a) mum can dress herself independantly, etc, and b) mum is not a senior, she's only just turned 50.

Mum won't go to any groups, all of the activities she used to do (scrapbooking) etc, she wont go to without me tagging along. I don't know what to do - she wont tell our extended family how sick she really is because she doesnt want to be portrayed as a 'sick person'. If I try and get help she'll think that she's a burden, which she's not..

I feel like whacking myself across the face for this, how terrible I must sound!!! Some daughter..

Thanks for your reply, it really did mean a lot to me.
-Emma x