Been diagnosed, partner just lost dad & won't engage with me

I found a lump two months back and was fairly sure it was something sinister, my partner wouldn't engage with me pre-diagnosis as his father was very sick and then he passed away. He wouldn't talk to me about it then and he won't talk to me about it now. Before I had my results he just asked me to wait unitl his fathers funeral was out of the way. After that we were apart for another week and nothing was discussed, then the news came. I expected the news that I got, my mum didn't want to believe it as I am 32 so she was in shock. My partner couldn't believe it and I had to tell him on the phone as he was still away. Since then he has barely spoken to me about it and all we do is argue on the phone. I can not stay here if he will not engage with me or support me. I feel worthless, like these past four and a half years were just one big lie. If I leave, I need to find somewhere to live. I will leave my dog. I will go through a break up. I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

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  • Looking in from the outside, you are both hurting in different ways, but each doesn't negate the other's pain/grief. So it's not just a simple case of your partner being an uncaring person. He's dealing with things that would throw most people. You are dealing with something that would devastate a lot of people.

    Maybe seeking out someone at Maggies/Macmillan is an option for you at this given time? They're good for unloading your problems on. They will listen.

    As Violet said, no one can tell you to stay or leave the relationship, only you can make that choice, but before making any hasty decisions, your partner needs to listen to you and you to him in the absence of arguments. Even if that means involving a 3rd party (Maggies etc).

    You really are caught between a rock and a hard place because it's not just a case of one person is wrong and the other is right.

  • Hi ProfBaw, it helps to get someones opinion on the situation. I agree about finding someone else to talk to, I am in the process of arranging that. It really isn't the right time to be going through a breakup. I know I need to ride this out but it is hard to feel the same way I used to about someone who just shuts me out. Hopefully some time and counselling will help. 

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  • Hi ProfBaw, it helps to get someones opinion on the situation. I agree about finding someone else to talk to, I am in the process of arranging that. It really isn't the right time to be going through a breakup. I know I need to ride this out but it is hard to feel the same way I used to about someone who just shuts me out. Hopefully some time and counselling will help. 

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