Coping with husband’s mood swings

Hi, my husband (54 yrs old) was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2024 he underwent surgery where the tumour was successfully removed and then received chemotherapy as a precautionary measure and he dealt with all of this in his stride. However roll on January 2025 and following an admission to hospital because of fluid build up in the abdomen we received the news that they had found cancerous cells in the stomach lining near to his diaphragm (he also has. 2 blood clots on his lungs following his last chemo treatment that he is dealing with). The Drs have told him that again they can treat it and he is undergoing chemotherapy yet again however he is really struggling with the fatigue and shortness of breath and this is making him angry and frustrated which is not at all like him - we used to joke that he was so laid back he was horizontal We have been married for 30 years this August and it is really upsetting to see him acting like this. He also cannot lie in bed comfortably at the moment as he has a drain in his abdomen still and this is also getting him down. I know that it is not him and it is the disease / treatment but it is hard not to take things personally. I do leave the room and give him space but it is really hard. I suppose I was just hoping to hear off anybody else who is going through the same.

Parents
  • I can sympathise with you Salstaps......my husband was diagnosed with brain tumors in September and up until 3 weeks ago he was his usual self......now he has got so down and moody....he can act normally with other people but when no one here I might as well not exist......it's not easy and a lot of people don't understand

  • It’s just really hard and I feel so helpless as there is nothing I can do. He can be fine one minute and then just c9mpletely change. He then gets ashamed of his behaviour and this upsets him.. lLike your husband mine is also down and just cannot see that they are treating the cancer and it wont be forever and yes people not going through it find it hard to 7nderstand.

  • Yes and helplessness is the hard part......and I suppose it is hard for them to see an end to it all.....has your husband been told he will recover?

    Mine was told it was terminal but that's all the information we got

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