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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I'm a bit stuck now with some bad news...

412 replies

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 17:41

Hi all.

Maybes a bit of a long post, so I do apologise.

I have just been given bad news by my ex boyfriend that he has cancer. He's only late 40s and we spent over a decade together and we're friends first. It was a bit of a turbulent relationship at times, but we had some good times, made memories and just couldn't deal with the world well, but we don't hold that against each other.

We properly spilt a few years ago, but remained friends and he helped me out a lot when I hurt my back and the most supportive person when my grandad died.

I am now in a new relationship, but it's a relationship I wish I had never gotten into and it's seems very hard to get out of. Hes a much older man, controlling, condescending and just basically won't get out of my life and I've asked him many times to. We do have nice days, but he is very teenage like, very argumentative and always has to be right. Sexually coercive and just a bit of a head do. I don't want to get the police involved and my parents are very close to removing him from house..... Anyways..... That will all be sorted out soon...

My ex and I are amicable, I do care for him and he's a nice lad, helps anyone with anything type of person. Now that I have been told this cancer news I am immediately wanting to help him. I see him for the first time in 9 months tomorrow at the hospital. He is going for chemo and whatever the hospital say, which is his choice.

He knows I am more holistic and says he will accept natural help after the chemo. He has a loving mother, he has a daughter I don't know of they are estranged still, and he has a sister he half gets on with. He's well known as a good lad around the area and has nice mates.

In my mind, (maybes it's panic), but I am thinking of asking him when he gets better from chemo if he wants to come and stay with me for a bit (nothing sexual) as I have moved out into the countryside. In my mind I am hoping to help him get his immune system back naturally and show him that it's ok to take time out to heal. He's a massive stickler for working and is constantly employed working hard. I live alone (technically) with our cat we got together 11 years ago.

He never looked after his health and I just feel he deserves a second chance hopefully in life to redeem himself and see a new outlook on life and cherish it. I am no way looking to have a couple relationship with him again, but he is a great friend.

When I found out this morning, I told my current partner (1 year) and he started trying to lecture me about cancer as he thinks I'm thick, and were both holistic so I dont know what he was trying to tell me. I told him I wasn't interested in what he had to say as I know what he was pushing and I shouted at him and he got pissy at me and we haven't spoken since. He's left to take his dog out, not even texted me to see if I'm ok. No emotional support at all.

I'm in bad health myself with my bad back and been in bed depressed all day in tears, having to contact old mutual friends and stuff. I've been helping out with trying to get my ex with pip and stuff like that, get the ball rolling until I see him face to face.

I'm literally sick of my current fella draining me like he does and he has his own place but chooses to live here with all his stuff clogging my house up just being lazy and making excuses.

I feel like my ex deserves my help so much more than this narcissist and maybe he will just leave anyways when he's not getting the attention.

I don't know what I'm writing here, I'm just getting stuff out, but do you think it's unreasonable or weird to ask my ex if he wants to stay on a bed downstairs to try and heal? He's been living with his mam for a year or so and she's getting on mid 70s now and wasn't well herself last year.

Obvs I will wait until I get this current one out of my house first!

Thanks for reading if you did, please go easy on me, I'm not after any negativity.

OP posts:
d317 · 18/09/2025 11:20

I know someone who had chemo, was holistic, believed in natural healing, ignored oncologist recommendations, she texted me a lot when I had cancer, and then she died.

i just think tread carefully. Be realistic. And good luck with your present boyfriend who I would remove from my life whatever it takes.

Change2banon · 18/09/2025 11:41

LondonPapa · 18/09/2025 09:14

Do not, under any circumstances, persuade him to follow your holistic bullshit. Do not stop his chemo. In-fact, stay out of his life.

If you actually read correctly you will see OP has NOT ever said she is going to persuade him to stop chemo. She has categorically said AFTER his chemo …natural help after the chemo .. when he gets better from chemo … all of her updates also say categorically she is not trying to stop him having chemo. Please read before you jump on her!

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 13:54

Change2banon · 18/09/2025 11:41

If you actually read correctly you will see OP has NOT ever said she is going to persuade him to stop chemo. She has categorically said AFTER his chemo …natural help after the chemo .. when he gets better from chemo … all of her updates also say categorically she is not trying to stop him having chemo. Please read before you jump on her!

So if you have read the thread… you’ll have seen this rather telling nugget

for someone who used to have a healthy lifestyle and no cancer when we were together.

Change2banon · 18/09/2025 14:28

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 13:54

So if you have read the thread… you’ll have seen this rather telling nugget

for someone who used to have a healthy lifestyle and no cancer when we were together.

That statement has no bearing at all on the particular statement I was responding to Do not, under any circumstances, persuade him to follow your holistic bullshit. Do not stop his chemo. In-fact, stay out of his life. 😵‍💫😵‍💫 Maybe you should read correctly too before posting 🤷‍♀️

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 14:33

Change2banon · 18/09/2025 14:28

That statement has no bearing at all on the particular statement I was responding to Do not, under any circumstances, persuade him to follow your holistic bullshit. Do not stop his chemo. In-fact, stay out of his life. 😵‍💫😵‍💫 Maybe you should read correctly too before posting 🤷‍♀️

Yes it does

by saying when he lived with her and “had a healthy lifestyle” and then go on to say “and was cancer free) the VERY heavy subtext is…, healthy lifestyle = no cancer, and the op would presumably be conveying that to him

TheFormidableMrsC · 18/09/2025 15:14

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 14:33

Yes it does

by saying when he lived with her and “had a healthy lifestyle” and then go on to say “and was cancer free) the VERY heavy subtext is…, healthy lifestyle = no cancer, and the op would presumably be conveying that to him

Edited

I totally agree with this yet was shouted down by another poster despite having had cancer myself which had nothing whatsoever to do with my (healthy) diet. It was the comment about him having chemo followed by “I prefer a holistic approach myself” or words to that effect.

Cancer can happen to anybody. When I was having treatment I met women (and men) who were slim, fit, a few who were vegan, a few who never smoked or touched alcohol, yet each of them had cancer. As I said in my previous post, I was approached by somebody like OP who tried to persuade me that her juicing diet would be better than chemo and radio. Fuck off it would not. There is a place for holistic approaches alongside active treatment, that has been cleared and agreed by the oncologist but it is not and never should be touted as a treatment for cancer.

Swandry · 18/09/2025 15:48

TheFormidableMrsC · 18/09/2025 15:14

I totally agree with this yet was shouted down by another poster despite having had cancer myself which had nothing whatsoever to do with my (healthy) diet. It was the comment about him having chemo followed by “I prefer a holistic approach myself” or words to that effect.

Cancer can happen to anybody. When I was having treatment I met women (and men) who were slim, fit, a few who were vegan, a few who never smoked or touched alcohol, yet each of them had cancer. As I said in my previous post, I was approached by somebody like OP who tried to persuade me that her juicing diet would be better than chemo and radio. Fuck off it would not. There is a place for holistic approaches alongside active treatment, that has been cleared and agreed by the oncologist but it is not and never should be touted as a treatment for cancer.

Fwiw that along with the redeem really got my back up yesterday. But I’d just had a biopsy done yesterday afternoon for likely ovarian cancer.

for which I apologise @JustaGirlTrying

however I do think there’s a bit of rescuer syndrome in your posts and - I recognise this in myself too - it’s easier to look outward than inward and fix things for others rather than step inward and do the hard work to fix things in our own lives.

best of luck to your friend.

Falseknock · 18/09/2025 15:56

d317 · 18/09/2025 11:20

I know someone who had chemo, was holistic, believed in natural healing, ignored oncologist recommendations, she texted me a lot when I had cancer, and then she died.

i just think tread carefully. Be realistic. And good luck with your present boyfriend who I would remove from my life whatever it takes.

Op did explain what she meant by holistic and it was healthy eating and making him smoothies. She said nothing about homeopathic medicine's. I do wonder if any of you who are commenting can cook?

Falseknock · 18/09/2025 15:58

Swandry · 18/09/2025 15:48

Fwiw that along with the redeem really got my back up yesterday. But I’d just had a biopsy done yesterday afternoon for likely ovarian cancer.

for which I apologise @JustaGirlTrying

however I do think there’s a bit of rescuer syndrome in your posts and - I recognise this in myself too - it’s easier to look outward than inward and fix things for others rather than step inward and do the hard work to fix things in our own lives.

best of luck to your friend.

I hope you are okay 💐

Swandry · 18/09/2025 15:58

I can cook. I rarely eat UPF. Why do you ask?

Swandry · 18/09/2025 15:58

Falseknock · 18/09/2025 15:58

I hope you are okay 💐

I’m not really but thank you.

Change2banon · 18/09/2025 16:01

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 14:33

Yes it does

by saying when he lived with her and “had a healthy lifestyle” and then go on to say “and was cancer free) the VERY heavy subtext is…, healthy lifestyle = no cancer, and the op would presumably be conveying that to him

Edited

No you’re still wrong, please actually read correctly. The statement I was responding to was Do not, under any circumstances, persuade him to follow your holistic bullshit. Do not stop his chemo. Nowhere does OP say she is going to stop his chemo. Nowhere. She has categorically said AFTER his chemo …natural help after the chemo .. when he gets better from chemo … all of her updates also say categorically she is not trying to stop him having chemo.

Really, what are you not understanding??

Nifty50something · 18/09/2025 16:05

Has anyone on this thread seen Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix? It's excellent and explains why I and many others loathe the concept of "holistic medicine." I probably was overly sensitive to the OP's mention of it but still.

Falseknock · 18/09/2025 16:25

Swandry · 18/09/2025 15:58

I can cook. I rarely eat UPF. Why do you ask?

If anyone was poorly in your family you would cook up something that will help them feel better. There is one ingredient that you add even if that person can't eat it but you make anyway to help them. Love is the ingredient that makes people feel better. That's why I ask because that's what people do when loved ones or friends are sick. That's what I got from the op although she does need to get rid of the boyfriend first.

Swandry · 18/09/2025 16:26

Falseknock · 18/09/2025 16:25

If anyone was poorly in your family you would cook up something that will help them feel better. There is one ingredient that you add even if that person can't eat it but you make anyway to help them. Love is the ingredient that makes people feel better. That's why I ask because that's what people do when loved ones or friends are sick. That's what I got from the op although she does need to get rid of the boyfriend first.

All the love in the world didn’t stop my mother dying a horrible painful death from a stage 4 cancer.

And it won’t help me one bit.

Jujujudo · 18/09/2025 16:40

Returnlamp · 18/09/2025 14:33

Yes it does

by saying when he lived with her and “had a healthy lifestyle” and then go on to say “and was cancer free) the VERY heavy subtext is…, healthy lifestyle = no cancer, and the op would presumably be conveying that to him

Edited

I actually agree with what you’re saying. A healthy lifestyle (whatever that encompasses) has no bearing on whether one gets cancer or not. Genetics are a huge factor and bad luck and environmental factors play a role too. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t ensure that you won’t die. It just keeps you physically stronger and less susceptible to issues as you age. But that’s just one thing.

Boomer55 · 18/09/2025 16:53

Let your ex work out what treatment he wants. Meantime, sort your own life out for you.

Lmnop22 · 18/09/2025 16:59

I’m not sure it’s your place OP

Fruitlips · 18/09/2025 18:15

Change2banon · 18/09/2025 16:01

No you’re still wrong, please actually read correctly. The statement I was responding to was Do not, under any circumstances, persuade him to follow your holistic bullshit. Do not stop his chemo. Nowhere does OP say she is going to stop his chemo. Nowhere. She has categorically said AFTER his chemo …natural help after the chemo .. when he gets better from chemo … all of her updates also say categorically she is not trying to stop him having chemo.

Really, what are you not understanding??

No the op doesn’t explicitly say it

but…. From other comments the op made, I think it is a reasonable concern that the op most certainly would consider doing this. Hence some posters imploring her not to

Fruitlips · 18/09/2025 18:16

Jujujudo · 18/09/2025 16:40

I actually agree with what you’re saying. A healthy lifestyle (whatever that encompasses) has no bearing on whether one gets cancer or not. Genetics are a huge factor and bad luck and environmental factors play a role too. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t ensure that you won’t die. It just keeps you physically stronger and less susceptible to issues as you age. But that’s just one thing.

The op clearly makes the link between healthy lifestyle and “cancer free”

which is patently,,,, wrong and concerning

OhMyGiddyAnt · 18/09/2025 19:19

Jujujudo · 18/09/2025 16:40

I actually agree with what you’re saying. A healthy lifestyle (whatever that encompasses) has no bearing on whether one gets cancer or not. Genetics are a huge factor and bad luck and environmental factors play a role too. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t ensure that you won’t die. It just keeps you physically stronger and less susceptible to issues as you age. But that’s just one thing.

That’s not true though. Anyone can get cancer but having a healthy lifestyle does lessen the risk of getting certain types of cancer and also does effect how well you respond to treatment.
My Dad died of lung cancer and you would be daft to think that the fact he chain smoked most of his life wasn’t a factor. Being over weight or obese is another thing that increases your chance of getting certain types of cancer. Heavy drinking is yet another thing that increases your chance of getting certain types of cancer.

Suggesting that having a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have any bearing on whether one gets cancer or not is a reckless thing to say. As I said ANYONE can get cancer but statistically speaking you are increasing your risk if you have an unhealthy lifestyle.

Change2banon · 18/09/2025 19:28

Fruitlips · 18/09/2025 18:15

No the op doesn’t explicitly say it

but…. From other comments the op made, I think it is a reasonable concern that the op most certainly would consider doing this. Hence some posters imploring her not to

You can’t have a go at someone for something you think they may do 😵‍💫😵‍💫 That’s just personal opinion and pure speculation. OP said from the get go, specifically said, after his chemo, when he gets better from his chemo. Why posters berated her for something she never said or did is ridiculous.

Fwiw I agree she’s a car crash right now, I agree her comments insinuating a healthy lifestyle = no cancer, are ridiculous. But my whole stance here is not about his part.

Fruitlips · 18/09/2025 20:10

Change2banon · 18/09/2025 19:28

You can’t have a go at someone for something you think they may do 😵‍💫😵‍💫 That’s just personal opinion and pure speculation. OP said from the get go, specifically said, after his chemo, when he gets better from his chemo. Why posters berated her for something she never said or did is ridiculous.

Fwiw I agree she’s a car crash right now, I agree her comments insinuating a healthy lifestyle = no cancer, are ridiculous. But my whole stance here is not about his part.

“Have a go”

oh come on. That poster was make a reasonable (as lots of us have) guess that if the op associates a healthy lifestyle with being cancer free… she is probably going to be, shall we say, a touch skeptical of chemo . I would bet my house that the Op was all over mumsnet warning people not to get the vaccine

TheGander · 18/09/2025 22:05

Jujujudo · 18/09/2025 16:40

I actually agree with what you’re saying. A healthy lifestyle (whatever that encompasses) has no bearing on whether one gets cancer or not. Genetics are a huge factor and bad luck and environmental factors play a role too. A healthy lifestyle doesn’t ensure that you won’t die. It just keeps you physically stronger and less susceptible to issues as you age. But that’s just one thing.

There is some link though. Being overweight is a risk factor for many cancers. A diet high in red meat increases colon cancer risk, as do diets high in preserved meats such as salami, bacon. There’s increasing concern about cadmium in soils. However, once cancer is there, I agree, no amount of holistic diet and lifestyle is going to cure it. It’s also true enough that vegetarians / vegans get cancer- Linda McCartney bring a high profile example. Just posting for nuance.

Change2banon · 18/09/2025 22:41

Fruitlips · 18/09/2025 20:10

“Have a go”

oh come on. That poster was make a reasonable (as lots of us have) guess that if the op associates a healthy lifestyle with being cancer free… she is probably going to be, shall we say, a touch skeptical of chemo . I would bet my house that the Op was all over mumsnet warning people not to get the vaccine

Edited

I think you’re all losing the plot here .. is it the new colours of the site making you all ill?? 😬😁

My response on this particular poster/thread/quote was to THIS, AND THIS ALONE … Do not, under any circumstances, persuade him to follow your holistic bullshit. Do not stop his chemo. In-fact, stay out of his life. I reiterate, at no point did OP say she was going to go against his chemo - quite the opposite in fact. OP was hung drawn and quartered from page 1 for something she did not say or do.

The majority of her words are ridiculous, as I’ve already said. But she did not say anything about trying to stop his chemo. That’s all. Surely we’re done now? 🤔

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