Is my boss more important than my career

[JTBB33]

As the title says. I have a wonderful relationship with my boss. Real genuine guy. Great small team of 4 who have but one been around for the last 4 years. I decided last week I wanted to apply for a new position within the business. I know my boss would be gutted, as we get on so well. Genuinely nothing personal, just after 4 years I feel I’m ready for a new challenge.
Today, he told me he’d been diagnosed with cancer. I’m heart broken for him. He’s a young man, young kids, wife etc. genuinely bloody tragic.

Morale dilemma. Immediately, I say to myself. I can’t possibly put this on him now. Firstly. There’s not even a guarantee I’ll get the job. So why put him through the stress of telling him.

secondly, if I did get the job, knowing he’d be out of action for a while, it’s putting an incredible amount of pressure on my team.

Thirdly, husband thinks I’m am absolute fool for even considering taking into account the medical position of my manager, and what it might do to my team.

Im so incredibly torn. Am I too soft? Please help. How would you deal with it!!??

I agree with your husband.

If you want to support your boss/his family through his cancer you can still do that.

But it should have nothing to do with your career choices.

Your career should come before any loyalty to your current boss.

Thank you. I applied for the role today. I am a bit disappointed though as my boss has been quite cold since telling him. He told me to tell the big boss myself (which I think should be his job)
none the less, I did have that conversation and was offered support with the interview/application process and to speak to my manager about it.
I Requested this and he said, I’ll try and sort something out this week. Interview is early next week. Defo feeling some negative vibes!

Good luck with the role. Could he have been hoping you’d do his role whilst he has treatment?

I wonder what a man would do in your position?

Thinking of it another way, would you feel betrayed if you got a cancer diagnosis and your boss then got a promotion and left? He can absolutely be disappointed if he was hoping to rely on you when he had treatment and given what he’s going through I’d absolutely cut him slack for any “coldness” but you can’t put your career on hold. Good luck with the new job application!

His cancer diagnosis is probably a far bigger concern to him than your possible new role. He's rightly prioritising himself.

You are perfectly reasonable to prioritise yourself and your career however expecting his help / support at a time when he is dealing with a recent cancer diagnosis is expecting too much from him. I imagine you leaving the team is a long way down his list of worries right now.

Good luck with your application!

Thanks for your responses. Yes, I’ve no doubt the poor guys has far more worries at the moment. I guess I just feel incredibly guilty which is making me over think everything