My husbands terminal diagnosis

Hi not sure where to start its gone on for so long and we've been through so much. My husband had a t2 cancer 8 years ago with was removed by surgery . 12 months later we found out he had two large Desmoid tumours that are inoperable . He was 36 and i was 26 with a three year old child .  It's a genetic disorder . He's had tamoxifen which stabilised the growths for 2 years and the chemo four years ago . Unfortunately the tumours are rearing their heads again and he's back on the chemo . It's worse this time for lots of reasons plus he's suffering with depression . It's so hard to watch someone change so much and lose themselves and i feel helpless . There's nothing I can do but watch .  I have to work and do most things by myself and everything is just so hard all the time. People always say I'm so strong but they don't realise it's not strength it's having no choice . I feel like we are both getting to breaking point .he's losing the will to fight because he feels so awful everyday he doesn't see the point any more . The emotional side of living with this is worse then anything else. To top things off our daughter is turning 12 and they want to test her for the illness next month . The thought of it makes me want to be sick . As I'm quite young I don't know anyone that can relate to what we are going though and I hate pity so I avoid talking about any of this if I'm honest as I just think they don't have a clue, I can't say a lot of how I'm feeling to my husband as I don't want to make him feel worse and he always tries to make me feel better despite the fact he's going through this .  I just don't know how much longer I can do this for . 

  • Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's illness and the long journey you've all been through with it. I totally understand what you mean about 'having no choice', but that doesn't take away from the fact that what you're doing by sticking around through such hard times is so incredibly kind, generous and loving - even when you feel like you're at breaking point.

    Of course I don't know your situation fully but it sounds like you have a huge amount of pressure and responsibility to deal with, especially if you're now feeling worried for your daughter, too. It sounds like the same old advice everyone gives, but I'd really recommend finding someone to talk to who can listen without judgement and will allow you to be totally free and open about your feelings. Your fears, frustrations and other difficult emotions could feel a little bit less overwhelming if you can sort of 'vent' them sometimes to someone who isn't involved in your family at all.

    Counselling is always something that people suggest, and it's a great thing to try - but if that feels like too big of a commitment or isn't your kind of thing, I'd really recommend calling an anonymous helpline for some advice. I think Cancer Research UK has one, or you could even call Samaritans or something similar - I've called them before when I've felt like I absolutely couldn't cope, and just saying all my thoughts to someone who was listening without judging, and who I knew wouldn't tell anyone was really helpful. 

    Sending lots of love to you and your family x