To feel guilty that an ex has cancer

[Quintillas]

AIBU to feel a little guilty that I am not still with my ex and able to care for them? He got cancer about two years after I ended the relationship (of five years). Clearly, it is not my fault, but I can't help but feel a little bad that he is unwell and reliant on his parents to look after him, having moved back home.

I almost feel as if I should have been there to care for him. We have been no contact since I dumped him, as it was fairly devastating for him. It was very much of a 'I fell out of love, but they still loved me' situation.

Cancer diagnoses bring up difficult emotions, whether it's you who is ill, one of your family, or in this case your ex.

You haven't done anything to feel guilty about. I suggest you acknowledge what you are feeling and then let it pass. As it's been 2 years, do not be tempted to get back in touch

Don't try and make it about you, it's not.

Men don’t think like this. They don’t think ‘I should care for the ex-girlfriend I dumped 2 years go.’

I despair for women sometimes.

I was going to say the same thing.