Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Palepinkpls · 17/09/2025 18:44

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:43

No, I'm a part time chef thank you very much. Just a bit of a bad back from working full time kitchen for 25 years ✌

Yet another assumption.

You said your parents were going to get him to leave because you were in poor health

so it’s your bad back stopping you from getting him out?

how old are you op?

DoYouReally · 17/09/2025 18:44

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:37

I was the first person he told before his own daughter. So him not wanting me to be anywhere near me saying he wants to see me asap is just another stupid assumption.

You may see it as a stupid assumption but I don't and with valid reason.

It won't do anyone dealing with cancer, any good to be around someone who hasn't dealt with problems of their own. It simply won't. He doesn't need the additional stress or drama.

Forget the Florence Nightingale role until you get your own house in order. If you do, then you can be of helpful support to others.

You are using this as a distraction rather than facing up to the things you need to address. Kid yourself if you want, but it's textbook projection.

BitOutOfPractice · 17/09/2025 18:44

I think people are trying to say op, that you should put your own oxygen mask on before helping anyone else.

concentrate on setting your own peace and health up before you try and organise someone else’s.

Im sure you have good intentions but you are not this ex’s rescuer. By all means be his friend but don’t overstep.

One thing at a time. Your relationship, your health, your friend

MyFortieth · 17/09/2025 18:45

Can I just reiterate what others have said.

Your top priority needs to be removing the sexually coercive nightmare from your life.

I would really focus of getting him and his stuff out of your way and then blocking him.

With regards to the cancer diagnosis, it is nice of you to offer, but I think it has the potential to be Too Much. I would take baby steps, maybe offer a weekend break rather than months in the middle of nowhere.

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:45

Palepinkpls · 17/09/2025 18:32

Can’t say trying to make someone laugh when I’ve heard they have cancer has been my response in the past but each to their own

Yeah he was joking about the surgery they did on him after he told me the bad news and just general chit chat about his life so we were making light of things in life to stop the crying.

Not everybody deals with things the same.

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 17/09/2025 18:46

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:37

I was the first person he told before his own daughter. So him not wanting me to be anywhere near me saying he wants to see me asap is just another stupid assumption.

Well, he wouldn't be able to tell her if she won't have anything to do with him, would he?

Palepinkpls · 17/09/2025 18:46

The OP will ask
He will likely say thanks but no thanks
The OP will get in a right arse with him

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:47

Palepinkpls · 17/09/2025 18:44

You said your parents were going to get him to leave because you were in poor health

so it’s your bad back stopping you from getting him out?

how old are you op?

No my parents to get him to leave instead of police. I am in bad health to me because I have back issues so not 100 percent health to me is bad health. Slipped a couple of disc and never recovered but still mobile. I am old enough.

OP posts:
JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:49

SquishyGloopyBum · 17/09/2025 18:32

But it’s clear to us you are making all about you.

you aren’t addressing any of the posts that say get out of your abusive relationship.

save yourself before to try save anyone else. I know you believe you have good intentions but it’s not how it is in reality given your circumstances.

Because it's a delicate situation, I was giving background. If you read the post it says it's happening.

Just not as easy as kicking someone this situation or id have done it months ago. Trust me.

I was looking to the future for my ex to have a bit of respite, not moved him in now or anything.

OP posts:
Swandry · 17/09/2025 18:50

You said:

“I'm in bad health myself with my bad back and been in bed depressed all day in tears“

I would suggest you prioritise getting well physically (bad back) and mentally (depression).

can you see that that would be a good thing to do before taking on to be there for your ex?

ThreePears · 17/09/2025 18:50

As I already said, you need to do something positive first, and dispose of your abusive bf - with the assistance of the police if you and your family can't do it.

Perhaps other posters are concentrating too much on the poorly ex. You can't offer help to him until you are in a position to do so.

Swandry · 17/09/2025 18:50

“Mate you and me isn’t working. It’s not been working for a while. You need to leave.”

that’s it. That’s all you need to say.

deadpan · 17/09/2025 18:51

You could be depressed because of the bad relationship you're in now. Get rid of him and make your own decisions, he sounds as though he undermines you.

FawnDrench · 17/09/2025 18:53

I think you’ve got more than enough problems of your own to sort out without getting involved in anybody else’s.

Lighteningstrikes · 17/09/2025 18:53

I don’t see what’s wrong with your plan.

Yes, finish things with your current boyfriend and then help your nice friend to recover.

You’re a good person 💐

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:54

outerspacepotato · 17/09/2025 18:32

But you've got a very rigid and not very realistic idea of what cancer support looks like.

It just might be a MacDonalds. It might get the calories in that your holistic food can't. It might be easier on mouth sores. It might provide flavour and improve appetite. Your healthy food might tear up his digestive tract. The key is no judgement of what they can get down and you don't get that.

You say you're not well yourself. How are you going to be a caregiver? I went on a program of heavy strength training when I knew I was going to be a caregiver because lifting adults and helping them around is hard work.

How are you going to transport him? Is there medical transport on your rural area?

I was thinking when he was well enough. Obviously I know I can't do palliative type care and that was never the intention of the post!

People seem to have just jumped onto that idea without thinking. I said after chemo. I am just going on the idea that he will get better.

I have lost people to cancer and I've seen how hard work it is first hand. I was there everyday for someone in care and just watching them was exhausting.

I actually going on the HOPE he will get better and want to offer something nice when he is able. He's got family for the instant after hospital care, that's his flesh and blood and his life. I just wanted to offer him a nice stress free when he came.out of that period..

Hoping that he will.

OP posts:
NotoriousABC · 17/09/2025 18:55

How could anyone think it was a good idea to move a really sick man into a home where there is a toxic relationship/domestic abuse going on? How on earth would that help?!

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:56

Palepinkpls · 17/09/2025 18:37

The ex presumably knows the Op very well

so on the basis of this thread, I’d hazard a guess it’s highly likely he will politely decline

You're such a cutie.

OP posts:
Palepinkpls · 17/09/2025 18:56

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:47

No my parents to get him to leave instead of police. I am in bad health to me because I have back issues so not 100 percent health to me is bad health. Slipped a couple of disc and never recovered but still mobile. I am old enough.

yes I didn’t think you were young

I am guessing >50
in poor health and only able to work part time
still reliant on parents for big things
Got in a toxic relationship with a deviant

so much shit to sort. I think your shoes I too would be looking for a distraction

Praying4Peace · 17/09/2025 18:56

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 17:49

I see what your saying, but I didn't say I'm stopping him from getting chemo if you read it properly.

After he has had chemo I was thinking of offering him respite and supplying him with lots of cold pressed fruit juices and an organic healthy diet and walks/wheelchair in the countryside.

He was a big drinker with a very processed diet which didn't help him obviously.

Please don't just think of holistic as being mumbo jumbo. Hollistic is natural health.

Edited

Hi OP, I am sure u mean well but kindly, you need to take care of yourself first.
You come across as needing to be needed which isn't a healthy position to be in to support your friend

SouthernBelle21 · 17/09/2025 18:56

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 17:49

I see what your saying, but I didn't say I'm stopping him from getting chemo if you read it properly.

After he has had chemo I was thinking of offering him respite and supplying him with lots of cold pressed fruit juices and an organic healthy diet and walks/wheelchair in the countryside.

He was a big drinker with a very processed diet which didn't help him obviously.

Please don't just think of holistic as being mumbo jumbo. Hollistic is natural health.

Edited

Noooooobody thinks holistic is "mumbo jumbo". It's a great way to live and super healthy. It may even prevent cancer!

....But it doesn't cure it. So let the man have his chemo.

Palepinkpls · 17/09/2025 18:57

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:56

You're such a cutie.

But I’m going to guess that’s how tomorrow plays out

momtoboys · 17/09/2025 18:57

I have so many questions. The first one being - does your current partner live with your parents? Do you live with your parents? Does your ex even want your help during this time? Are you calling long time friends, etc to tell them the ex has cancer? Does he want you to do that?

JustaGirlTrying · 17/09/2025 18:59

MrsWalker2025 · 17/09/2025 18:43

You sound proud of the fact that he told you before his daughter. It is all about you and what you think is right. Why are your parents having to sort out your present relationship?

You need to sort out your own life instead of clinging on to a man that it’s obviously very poorly. Organic food won’t fix anything

No not proud, just showing the poster that I am very close to him as she was implying something wrong about how close we are or something.

For me to state that.

OP posts:
MarthaBeach · 17/09/2025 19:00

NotoriousABC · 17/09/2025 18:55

How could anyone think it was a good idea to move a really sick man into a home where there is a toxic relationship/domestic abuse going on? How on earth would that help?!

Read the OP again, she clearly says AFTER chucking the current arsehole out

Swipe left for the next trending thread