Grieving before he’s died - husband's cancer returned after being in remission for only 7 months. He's been told he only has 12 - 18 months now if chemo works

My husband has been told his cancer has returned after only 7 months in remission, he’s been told he has 12-18 months IF it responds well to chemo.  I feel like I’m grieving him before he’s gone, I can’t sleep it’s currently 2.30am I’m laying here next to him visualising how life will be without him. He’s trying to do as much in the house to make it as we want it before he gets too weak to do it. People are telling us to go on holiday spend time together etc I have to work it’s not that easy I’m the only one working since he got poorly. But when he’s gone I know I will regret it but we are running out of time.

Is this normal to feel like we should be getting our house in order - literally ! Is it normal that I’m trying to prepare myself that he will be gone even though I could have another good year infront of us? I’m feeling numb it’s so surreal I’m going through the motions - I feel so helpless and angry with myself for feeling like he’s gone already when he’s right here next to me 

Parents
  • Hello bubbles831,

    grieving a loss is entirely normal, doing so at the outset can be the big step of acceptance and prepare you to be stronger at the finish. Since you do not know when that will be it can place you upon a firmer foundation from which to be able to organise and enjoy what remains of your life together ahead of you and take the very best you can from it..

    Coming from a stage 4 diagnosis l can empathise and understand with where you find yourselves and can only say it was only that when l reached the position where l accepted that l could be facing end of life and my partners life would change completely,  was a great weight lifted off my shoulders and we worked on futureproofing for her and doing our utmost to enjoy and appreciate everyday we awoke to

    We are still doing that 11 years on and are still unable to say when that will no longer be the case.Mourn your loss, but dont lose sight of the meaningful potential that could still await you moving foward. That time can be so much more generous and rewarding than what you have experienced before

    l hope you are able to find the comfort in your minds to allow you to fulfill that,

    David

Reply
  • Hello bubbles831,

    grieving a loss is entirely normal, doing so at the outset can be the big step of acceptance and prepare you to be stronger at the finish. Since you do not know when that will be it can place you upon a firmer foundation from which to be able to organise and enjoy what remains of your life together ahead of you and take the very best you can from it..

    Coming from a stage 4 diagnosis l can empathise and understand with where you find yourselves and can only say it was only that when l reached the position where l accepted that l could be facing end of life and my partners life would change completely,  was a great weight lifted off my shoulders and we worked on futureproofing for her and doing our utmost to enjoy and appreciate everyday we awoke to

    We are still doing that 11 years on and are still unable to say when that will no longer be the case.Mourn your loss, but dont lose sight of the meaningful potential that could still await you moving foward. That time can be so much more generous and rewarding than what you have experienced before

    l hope you are able to find the comfort in your minds to allow you to fulfill that,

    David

Children