Oh Diane, I am sorry you are in so much pain.

And no, I don't think it is your fault. Your brother (forgive me for saying this) seems to be too self centered to see anything except himself. He reminds me of my brother who I wrote an email to and said he is too busy to write me back.

Perhaps a mini break is needed until you feel better because stress is never good for you.

Here is a bear hug from Japan

What is ut about brothers. I have gotten to a point where most times I pretend mine just doesn't exist. It is less painful that way. I understand why you say he is all that is left, my situation is similar, but that is no reason to put up with someone who is not respecting you. Perhaps you can just hire someone to do the cleaning at this point. you've got everythihng cleaned out. So there isn't anything to be stolen.

How have you made out with your tummy situation? Have you gotten the help you needed or at least examined with mri, crt or whatever yet?? Are you able to have bowel movements?? If not, it is a blockage and you should go to ER.

I hope you get this figured out. Health is NUMBER 1!

Then when you are feeling well again. I suggest continuing on your path of reaching out in other areas. But Dianne, I see you much like me, in that you are always giving giving giving, and don't think much about what YOU get out of a relationship. I don't like to think that way, but I have been left in a situation where I must, from here on out look for opportunities and friendships that are 2way, not just one. That does not make you a bad person. It's commendable that you want to get out and volunteer for homeless. But sweetie, you need to take care of yourself first! It is ok to invest in yourself. If doing this volunteering makes you happy, great. I get it.
But please don't write off, doing some things, just for you. Just to make you happy. I got to tell you, I tried a couple of these paint nite things that are popular now. (maybe have been, but new to me) and I feel great about it. I have two paintings that I am very proud of, and I did it for no one but myself! I never had a real art class or painted anything besides walls and ceilings and doors and woodwork. lol It turns out, I'm pretty good at it for my 1st time w a paintbrush, and the instruction they give you of course. So point is, dont forget about yourself! You are allowed to do things for yourself that make you happy. You are allowed to dig into possilbities and explore hobbies and what not. It doesn't ALL have to be about doing for others.
You are such a sweet person. I don't like to know you are suffering.

please listen to all of us here Diane. these issues are is, not yours. believe me what i went thru with my bro an assault, in hosp..and the head games behind my back,,,what he did while i was in hosp lied and acted on paper work, was awful mess. it is not your depression or your fault. not sure why bros have to be this way. there is an old saying. moms raise their daughters but love their sons. and there is usually a special bone between mom and sons. not just in my family. maybe he is having a hard time with her passing and he takes it out on you. i am sure some of this is true. men in general have trouble showing feelings or expressing and God forbid they show any emotion, for some reason they think this appears to make them weak... well to me a man showing feelings or emotions is not s sign he is weak but more that he is real and feels his feelings. he is real and strong for showing. he feels deeply. but most hide it. but it is not your fault at all. read there, most of us had had some kind of problem or situation with our bros. and some times family or not...you have to set up boundaries. and if family cannot understand it, so be it. this is not about other members, it is about you. so set up some boundaries,,and if he tries to get thru those walls/boundaries, just say i am not talking about this at this time.... unless u just have to over estate. even then, maybe someone else there with you when that conversation occurs. might be best anyway. then there is little case of she said he said. when he knows he cannot get to you, in time he will back down. he will see the conversation is all one sided. I know what u mean also about havning a relationship with him since family is gone....Same here. no one left either side now. some cousins scattered but we did not grow up together and completely diff type of lives. so same boat as you. it is me and a brother down home. saw him few yrs ago for first time. no one else sees him either. at a funeral of our aunt. moms sister and last of moms family. he got there early not expecting to see much family. i glanced his way for seconds. i knew, i would cry, middle of church asile, so not right time or place. but i did send a note to him..of course no reply. could u maybe do this? write down how you feel and send to him???? worth a try???? who knows. i never heard a thing back. but i do send card and note at christmas. just sign it sister and write a note..hope he is well, stay happy and healthy . (how he can be happy after assaulting his sister is beyond me. he is so full of hate for so many..i just happened to be his out let that day.) but again HIS ISSUES. not mine.. so hope this gives you some food for thought. just chatting here. my 2 cents. and oh i forgave him..but that does not mean we are buddies. or forgotten. not what he put me thru. anyway hope to hear from you. hugs my friend.

Saw my GP. He feels the antibiotics I am on may be adding to the bloating and wants me to hang in there because the next move would be surgery

yuck....surgery really? Unless it is really bad nope...they will remove colon sections...my grandmother had about four of these and they are very hard to go thru...do not do that....hugs unless it is perforation of colon then yes if needed surgery...to keep you alive...perforation can kill ya which is what happened to me...I got thru without surgery because mine was small and healed outright

Surgery! Wow, Diane, that sort of came out of nowhere. Suddenly having Divicitu..., and then already calling for surgery? That just doesn't smell right to me.
Also, are you taking probiotics to go along w the antibiotics??? Can be very important. And, I suggest taking, several hours after the anti-biotic or the antibiotic will just kill the probiotics. Then continue to take them after discontinuing antibiotics for awhile.
I think if you are not better after antibiotics you would do yourself wise to get a 2nd opinion, and not to mention to the doctor, what the 1st opinion is, otherwise, it always seemed to me they just agree and don't really do their own evaluation.

Diane, so sorry that taking care of your mom's things has turned into so much drama. Just remember, it is all about him, not you. Take care of your mental self. You are worth it.

So sorry you are having to deal with the diverticula right now. I hope it clears itself soon. No surgery. My dad and I have this. He treated his with diet. I have not had any major flares...yet.

Sending you warm, comforting, gentle hugs.

Surgery? Omigosh! I agree with gustokitty. I have IBS (though it is not the same) and I am taking probiotics and it seems to help a lot.

I wish I knew what to say except that I am thinking of you.

Hugs.

You can control this with diet. mom had it. your doc should have told you and gone over this with you. and yes probiotics and diet can control it. i also have IBS_D. AGAIN DIET. i know now what i can and cannot have for flare ups. and the probiotics i mentioned before, are now across counter and good. (use to be presceription) try them first. but diet is important as many of us have shared. hope you feel better and def get second opinion. always have to these days. hugs. and hoping you feel better with moms house and bro situation. i know that heartache both.