WIBTA for Secretly Taking My Grandpa to the Doctor Even Though My Aunt “Knows Better”?
A 16-year-old girl is torn between respecting her family’s authority and protecting her grandfather’s life after her aunt’s obsession with “alternative medicine” nearly cost her grandmother hers.
I (16F) have an aunt (45) who studied pharmacy decades ago and now fancies herself the family doctor. The problem is, she’s obsessed with alternative medicine and thinks she knows better than actual professionals. For as long as I can remember, my entire family has deferred to her — like her dusty degree makes her some kind of medical expert.
I never questioned it much until a few months ago, when my aunt’s “expertise” nearly killed my grandma. Turns out, my grandma had breast cancer — and my aunt hid it from everyone for years. She told my grandma she could “treat” it naturally with diet and supplements. We only found out the truth when my grandma suddenly couldn’t speak properly one day. We rushed her to the ER, where doctors discovered eight brain tumors, one so large it had caused internal bleeding.
She had emergency surgery, and we were told she was essentially beyond saving. The doctors said her breast cancer had likely been there for at least seven years. My aunt had covered it up the entire time.
“She didn’t just fail her mom — she almost killed her.”
“Now My Grandpa’s Getting Worse — and She Still Won’t Let Him See a Real Doctor”
Now my grandpa’s the one who’s sick. His feet have been swollen for years, and the doctor my aunt picked prescribed a pill for it — but she refuses to let him take it because she “knows better.” Instead, she put him on compression socks. Ever since, his face has been bloated, and he’s been tired and off.
I told my dad I was taking him to a real doctor whether anyone liked it or not. He said “okay.” But when I asked my mom which doctor to go to, she said to confirm with my dad. My dad then told me to ask my aunt. Of course, my aunt brushed it off and said, “He’s fine.”
I don’t trust her — at all. After what she did to my grandma, I’m convinced she’s dangerous. I’m seriously considering telling my grandpa we’re just going for a walk, then secretly driving him to a real doctor. I know it would cause massive drama if anyone found out, but I honestly think his life could depend on it.
“It’s not rebellion — it’s desperation.”
“Everyone’s Too Scared to Stand Up to Her”
The worst part is that my grandparents support my aunt’s decisions. My grandma was the one who pressured her into hiding the cancer in the first place. Even now, she doesn’t want my grandpa to see a doctor, despite worrying about his health herself.
My dad seems torn. He once said he’d take Grandpa himself, but then backed out — probably after another fight with my aunt. I’m watching this play out in slow motion, just waiting for history to repeat itself.
My cousin even told my aunt that I was worried, and she sent me a three-minute voice message basically telling me to “back off.” I feel completely helpless. Everyone tiptoes around her because she’s loud and “educated.” Meanwhile, my grandpa’s symptoms keep getting worse.
“It’s like watching someone drown while the lifeguard argues about the color of the water.”
“WIBTA for Going Behind Everyone’s Back?”
I know it would technically be against everyone’s wishes, but it feels like the only way to keep my grandpa safe. I’m just a teenager, but at least I can see what’s happening. I watched my aunt nearly kill one grandparent — I don’t want to watch her kill the other.
I’m terrified of the fallout, but I’m even more terrified of doing nothing.
“If caring makes me the bad guy, then I’ll be the bad guy.”
💬 Typical Reader Reactions:
“NTA. This isn’t about respect, it’s about saving a life. Call emergency services if you have to.”
“Your aunt is dangerous. Adults failing you doesn’t make you wrong for stepping up.”
“Sometimes doing the right thing means breaking the rules.”
🌱 Final Thoughts
When family loyalty collides with moral responsibility, the right choice often feels like betrayal. But doing nothing can be the greater sin. This teen isn’t meddling — she’s trying to protect her grandfather from the same fate her grandmother narrowly escaped. If her elders won’t act, maybe courage has to come from the youngest voice in the room.
What would you do?
Would you risk family chaos to save someone’s life? Share your thoughts below 👇
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