Losing My Boyfriend

It's been 25 long days since I lost my boyfriend to leukaemia. He passed away surrounded by love in his home, 2 weeks after his 19th birthday. My heart aches everyday, and I can't seem to get any relief. I know it's early days - but everything is such a struggle. Sleep used to be my escape, but now I get harrowing nightmares involving him. We were together for almost 3 years, which is a long time when you're 19. Our whole life was planned out to the smallest detail - get a degree, move in together in Edinburgh, get engaged in Rome, have 3 children. Now I'm left as one half of a couple, one half of our memories, one half of a heart. It's hard to see so many happy couples together, it sounds silly but I crave his touch and his voice. I wish I could talk to someone in a similar circumstance, but there seems to be nobody. I go to a bereavement councillor who is lovely, but nothing seems to help. I hope one day I can feel like myself again, and live life twice as big - for him. Cancer took his life away, but it sure as hell won't take mine. 

  • Hi lilmac, after reading your post It made me think of my son, he's 19 and has leukaemia. To be in a relationship for 3 years wether you're 19 or 90 is a long time. There is no magic time frame for when you will feel like you, you will always be a changed person as you have loved and also felt the pain of loss. I lost my dad to cancer a few years ago and I know that the pain I felt is different to the pain you feel but none the less it hurts. Time helps as does being able to talk, I love to remember all the funny things my dad did and sharing these memories with my family helps. Above all know you're not alone, there are so many others in your situation and I would advise contacting the Teenage Cancer Trust and asking for their help in connecting and supporting you. X X X

  • Hello lilmac,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. Your story is so moving. We are so sorry you lost your boyfriend only 25 days ago. Our sincere condolences and I hope this forum will help you get in touch with others who also lost a loved one and know exactly how you feel.

    Only yesterday I noticed this story by Lancsgirl - she is 18 and her boyfriend of 3 years was diagnosed with a brain tumour and is terminally ill. I am sure she would love to hear from you as you have been through this before. Feel free to reply to her I am sure you will have a lot to say to each other.

    Best wishes,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Thinking of you and your son as you go through this life-changing journey with leukaemia. Treatment is eveolving so fast, it's incredible. My boyfriend was diagnosed almost 3 years ago so had an awful lot of high dose chemo, immunotherapy, steroids etc for his bodys own good. His ALL became clever and mutated so that there was nothing they had that could fight it and keep it away. My heart aches everyday, part of me is  okay that I feel like this because it shows how much of an impact he had on my life, but part of me is crushed. Feels like he's taken half of my heart with him. I will definitely contact Teenage Cancer Trust, thank you for that advice. I've never been in contact with them before. Xx

     

  • Thanks for your reply, I'll definitely send her a message. :) 

     

  • Hi, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss, it’s soul destroying. I’ve read your sattement and I hope you don’t mind me replying. My daughter circumstances is the exact same as yours, she is 19, her boyfriend of 3 yrs 19 also passed away few days ago to Cancer, we are all heart broken. He was her world they practically lived together planned future together etc and now he is no longer with us. I’m so worried about her, I just wondered how you’ve managed to pull through? my worst fear is not knowing how she will get by. Take care and thanks
  • Welcome to the forum deevas although I'm really sorry to read about your daughter's situation and just wanted to pass on my condolences to you for her loss.

    I noticed you've posted on a discussion which is a few years old now so there may be chance you won't get a reply from lilmac as they haven't been on for a while. There are more recent discussions you can get involved in on the coping with loss section of the forum with more regular members that are coping with the loss of their partners that may be able to provide you with the insight and advice you are seeking at the moment so do have a look around when you get the chance.

    Things may seem really scary and uncertain right now but I'm sure your daughter, knowing that she has you by her side to comfort and support her at this difficult time in her life, will find a way to pull through.

    Kind regards, 

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator