Unsympathetic partner and my terminally ill mother

Hello!

I am new to this forum and looking for any experience, strength, and hope from those who might have a similar situation or can offer some comforting words of wisdom or advice. My partner of 5 years has been supportive over the last 5 years that my mother (in the States) has been dealing with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. Until now. After lockdown my partner traveled to Greece to visit his family and attend to some work needs and I was planning to join him from our home in London. When my mother's chemo drug stopped working and she had complications a week after my partner's departure my level of risk to travel east (Greece) for holiday when I might need to travel west (to the States) to support my mom went way down. I clumsilly told my partner I may not make it to Greece to join him for a holiday was not met well on his part. He said, 'but your  mom has had cancer since I met you'.  I tried to explain my fears and need to stay put in London and not risk exposure to Covid as I may need to travel t o the States but, still, he has grown frustrated and decided not to return to London. I am devastated and feel torn between two people I love dearly (my mom and my partner). Any thoughts, reflections or suggetions are welcome. I suppose I have choices but feel really caught in fear and not sure which way to go. I want to be there for my mom and also keep this relationship alive. Thanks for listenting. Sara

  • Hi Sara,

    Only you know the answer to this one. Find a quiet space and listen calmly to your own inner guide. If your partner truly loves you he will understand should you choose to put your mother first at this difficult time. I think it is a situation where you need to trust your instinct. Sunny x

  • What would you say to someone in your possisition...

    If it were me personally, I'd put mum first ... coz he's not put you first ...  l had a hubby like that .. who the day my mum died said " everyone's got to die sometime"  I spent 27 years trying .. till that day ... now he's my ex hubby ... if someone really loves you, he'd understand ... covid has changed life ... nothing is "normal" ... 

    Like sunny says .. listen to your heart ... then your head ... you can always have another holiday there together when ( fingers crossed) covid goes away .... but it's just my thoughts ... life is too short ... and you only get one mum ...

  • Hi Sara,

    I can only say what I would do in your position. I would tell my partner that my mother may have reached the end of her options and I need to be there with her to help her face what's coming next. If I was to go to Greece & then my mother declined quickly I would never forgive myself for not being there.

    Your mother may be at the end of her life whilst you both have your lives ahead of you. If he can't understand that & support you, then perhaps he's shown his true colours. Hopefully, when faced with your decision, he will see how childish he's being - no one should ever make someone choose between them & a parent in these circumstances.

    As I said, that is only my view. I have been married for 33 years & I've come to learn that my hubby can be awkward at times about family meetings, celebrations etc but when faced down he realises he's being selfish & childish. Hopefully your partner will realise that this is not a competion for your love & support. 

    Good luck and I hope your mum's doctors find her another treatment plan that helps. xx