what would you think of an elderly parent who rang a daughter early in the morning and when she dashed to the house had a knife held to the throat? the other parent had end-stage cancer and at home having needed almost full-time care by the daughter for some weeks. i've heard that all threats of suicide should be taken seriously and the gp was called to speak to this parent. emotional blackmail,do you think? this person would not be left alone with spouse who was ill for one moment.