Guilt is a feeling you expereince when you think you are to blame for something.  Whenever 
you experience feelings of guilt, do some investigating.  What do you feel bad about?  If you 
recognize something that you did (or didn't) do that you feel badly about, you may be 
experiencing true guilt.  Like pain, true guilt prompts us to take action to make things right.  
So do it.  True guilt goes away when we own up and take account for our wrong doing in word 
or deed.

If you find yourself still plagued by feelings of guilt you are probably dealing with false guilt.  
It is a useless emotion.  It is usually based on wrong or even magical thinking.  "The cancer 
should have happened to me...I shouldn't be having fun when she is home sick...If only I 
hadn't..."  The best way to deal with false guilt is to take it off, one bogus thought at a time.  
Sometimes it is easier to let a true thought push out an old thought.  Spend time thinking 
about those things you feel good about from the past.  Spend some time thinking about 
creative ways you can bless your loved one now.  

Keep in mind, you are at a time in your life when you are separating from your family and 
going your own way.  It is normal to want to spend time alone and away from home.  When a 
parent is ill, they want to spend more time with you, not less.  They are not willing to fight 
with you.  Don't beat yourself up over your feelings or a certain degree of conflict, but do 
force yourself to slow down and do the right thing by your parents once in awhile.

*Realize that cancer has many varied causes and no one person is ever 
responsible for causing cancer in another.

*It's okay to feel guilt about things. You felt guilt in your life before cancer 
and you will feel it after cancer is gone from your life. 

*Remember that feeling guilty doesn't do anything to improve any situation