Breast cancer - not so supportive husband! Advise please

Hello There! 

 

I would be grateful for your help and advise. 

 

I am 41 and  was diagnosed of breast cancer with lymph nodes in Feb 2020. I started my chemo in March, I recently finished Chemo, still going on the hormonal therapy infusion. I also had my mastectomy and axillary lymph nodes dissection 3 weeks ago. 

I am now waiting on radiotherapy. 

When I got diagnosed my husband was supportive and good. 

My mum and my niece has come from my home country to help me here. I also have a 6 year old son (just turned 6) 

 

now, I noticed that emotionally he is very unavailable and withdrawn. He comments negatively on petty things and it gets more stressful for me. He doesn't seem grateful that my mum is here helping  and I totally understand that it's our home, he might feel there is too many people.

He relies on my mum and my niece a lot to go shopping, cleaning and he doesn't do much. He took 3 weeks off work to help as well but he barely help, he always sleepy, tired, annoyed and on his tablets most of the times. 

He is on and off with helping. He helped for 2 - 3 days during my op and after

To be honest, I think if a husband want to be helpful, I do not need to ask for help, he should know that for e.g our son needs bathing, put in bed etc..the routine. 

On day 3 or 4 (post op) I bathed my son which was very difficult. His helped was very minim and still is. 

He is a bit of a too laid back husband. I feel very emotional with everything and I dont have any emotional support from him. I have always been the one who do too much here and even go shopping with heavy back prior to my diagnosed, I never took too much noticed about it as I am quite active in everything. 

He seems to be too laid back or lazy. 

Our relationship in this challenging time has take a turn downwards and I am even thinking of the 'd' word, but I think of my son. Even financially I am struggling, he is no help either. I stand independantly financially, I dont ask or get help from him.

Everything we have to pay such as bill, food etc, we go half half. My mum here to help, he doesnt help with that part financially. 

Most of the thing he talks about is saving. I do understand saving  and moving forward is a must but during my battle against cancer, my mind is on getting better. 

If he is not here for me in my low point in life, what is the point? 

Am I expecting too much on him? 

Am I being unreasonable. I do not know what to expect as I have always done things myself. 

I have pain in my body and have to deal with a lot. Even during chemo, I find myself doing so.much. I had very lil rest. 

At the mo, we do not really talk to each other (long explanation)

 

I would be most grateful for your help. 

 

I am really sorry for the long message. 

 

Thank You

 

J

  • Dear MimiJai 

    It has been a few months since you wrote so I wonder if there is any change for you. I'm really sorry to hear of your disappointment with your husband's lack of support and understanding. Of course you wanted more from him at this difficult time. Someone else suggested trying to talk to him but I know this can also be hard. Some people get support from a relationship couples counsellor to connect with each other, or if he won't do this have you considered counselling yourself (though can be expensive) or speaking to someone on one of the cancer helplines? Or do you have a friend or relative you can confide in?

    I can relate to what you're saying as I also am in pain about my husband's response to my illness (I'm about to write a post in fact). It's so hard when you're in a huge crisis and the person you thought would really be there for you turns out not to be.

    Sending best wishes

    Tess

     

     

     

  • Dear Tess73

    Thank You for your message.

    I am really sorry to hear about the situation between your husband and you. 

    I spoke to him and he did not seem to understand everything. He always says if I need to ask. To me I see someone sick, I help as much as I need or can, I dont wait for that person to ask. I guess most men are different, they are not emotional being. They think logically and cannot see the pain their wife is going through. We talked now normally but I still feel he can help better. 

    I told him that he has his emotion blocked and not stable so unable to feel properly or has blocked himself emotionally to not feel anything; he said oh may be. 

    I will see if I can get referred for counselling. Private counselling is difficult for me financially. 

    I really hope that your husband realise and see with his heart and understand that you need him and to support you emotionally. I spoke to my friend about it just to ease off but at the same time I feel I keep taalking about myself so now I dont really say much about this to my friend. 

    I am going to start journalling amd exercising to feel better. 

    I would love to be able to see the coupke counselling, Ill look around. 

    Thank You so much

    I wish You all the very best

    J