Terminal cancer

Hi

My husband has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Normally he puts on a big front but just recently he has started being very distant to me and started working late and avoiding spending any time with me. If I show any concern or affection to him he doesn't want to know. Last night I confronted him about what must be going through his head. Basically he has told me that he's struggling to deal with everything and that he also feels he doesn't love me anymore. He now won't talk to me. I am in absolute bits and really don't know how to deal with the situation.  We have been married for 29 years and have always had a very happy marriage.

  • Hi Eng53,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband and also the difficult situation you find yourself in.

    It may perhaps be the case that your husband is trying to deal with his situation by deflecting emotion and distancing himself from some support and from some of those who are close to him - perhaps as a defence mechanism that he thinks may avoid hurting you or himself further, but I'm sure that his actions must only be making things more difficult for you.

    I'm not sure if you've been able to speak to anyone else about this yet, but it may help to explore some support via friends and family, us here on this forum, and also organisations such as Macmillan or Maggie's.

    Hopefully you will also receive further replies to your post soon. We're always here for support if you need it at any point.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator