Dear Dolly: ‘My mother is dying, and I feel like my life is on hold’

Q. My mum was diagnosed with incurable cancer seven years ago. It has been the hardest thing I’ve experienced to see her go through this illness, trialling new treatment after treatment, often left sick and bed-bound because of the intense side-effects of the meds or the illness. I’m lucky enough to have an incredible support network of friends who I have leant on for comfort, love and laughter during this dark time. I’m 28, and many of my friends are starting to move away to other countries for work or travel. I could never leave my mum — her condition is so unstable, and I don’t want to waste any of the time I have left with her. However, I am terrified of being left