I'm truly sorry. I really am. I bet it feels crap on every level. My best advice would be plainly telling them how you feel and asking them why they do what they do. Get them sit down with you for a serious talk.

This should work with loving parents. Sadly not all of them are like that but I hope your folks do love you. Still, it disturbs me that your mum doesn't drop everything and rushes to you when you cry in pain.

I went through a similar phase when I was a teenager and I felt I couldn't bear the constant neglect, silent treatment, lack of eye contact etc. from my grandparents whom I lived with at that time. I was very sick with an acute, untreated case of pneumonia. One day I just felt I couldn't carry on and confronted them, pretty much in tears, asking what I must do so that they may care for me and my state.

They said that since I had failed a maths exam, my room was untidy and I had that annoying habit of expressing my opinion and dared to contradict them, I had a hell of a job ahead of me to ever make them accept me again. Besides - they said - they had already accepted me when my mother refused to abort me so what else could I possibly want.

Well, no comment.

I'm sure your parents are not of this kind. If I understand you well and your family have suffered the loss of your brother and your parents have issues themselves then they might really just be unable to cope with another serious illness in the family and might well be in denial.

In any case, I would say, whatever happens, do listen to your body. If your parents don't look after you the way they should, it falls to you to look after yourself.

I hope it works out.