How do you cope when your partner leaves during cancer treatment?

Hi Trudy I hear you. It’s better to know now, than when you might need them. Take care, know that there is love out there for you. E.

Thank you. I’m 67 years old and it has taken me years to find a partner. With scars on both breasts and the physical inability to ever enjoy a sex life I doubt there’s any hope for a partner at this stage of my life. My surgery was in March my radiation in June and on Anastrozole now and overwhelmed with fatigue and joint pain. Cancer robs us of more than just our health.

Yes, I agree. I am 58 years old. Never give up on love, there are people in the same boat. There are people who are looking for comfort and a partner to face the future with. Not all loving relationships are sexual. Be true and stay alert, anything can happen.

Hi Trudy, don't stress over something you have no control over,,if he left you at your hardest need in life then he wasn't your true love..you just need to stress about getting better and keeping that blood pressure under control,,have a blessed day

I’m so grateful for the support I’m having some dark days. He said I was picky and critical and I probably was the meds didn’t help going thru menopause again at my age on Anastrozole is hard.

Trudy I started taking my anastrovole in the evening and it’s been a game changer! I feel great - highly recommend

Hi Trudy. I'm so sorry you're going through this emotional pain on top of everything else. As others have said, better to find out now than later when it might really be critical to count on that person. I have been so lucky my husband of 40 years was so supportive throughout my treatment. At our age relationships shouldn't have to revolve around sex. Find someone who loves you for you ❤️

Hi Trudy, You need support not this selfish person.

Hi Trudy, If you live near me I lost my wife I’m a widow and unable to have sex due to my cancer diagnosis. I would love to have a friend I never go out who wants to go to dinner or a movie by themselves. It would be nice and healthy for both of us. I’m in Sacramento Ca, if interested. And I if not I hope you find someone. Big hugs and F that guy, I meant forget that guy.

Hey Trudy,I agree with what everyone has said here. I'm 76 and I have lots of issues. I'm no longer able to perform due to Peyronie's disease, basically a broken penis. Fortunately, I have a wonderful loving wife who doesn't have a lot of sex driv now either. We are occasionally able to manually or mechanically manipulate each other. The point is that us old folks can be as creative as our partnership desires to be. Old men get low on testosterone and lose their sex drive too. Just having a partner is amazing and I'm sure there is someone nearby who will be a perfect, well as perfect as we humans can be, fit. Just stay as positive as you can because a positive attitude is way more attractive and easier to be around. Studies have also shown that a positive attitude will help your body no matter how sick you are. I have stage 3b right upper lobe lung cancer and have had radiation. I'm on immunotherapy now until February with Keytruda, which makes me extremely fatigued so I know it ain't easy and sometimes it's just impossible but don't allow yourself to get sucked into the negativity for too long. As Richard says, don't let the bad days win! Stay strong and fight like a warrior. Yes, a warrior because I know you have it in you, just dig deep and you'll find it! Some lucky guy is going to wind up under your spell shortly. In the meantime, you can continue to hang out here with us other folks and we'll do our best to help you stay strong and positive. Keep us posted with how things are developing. Take good care, Garey

Be sad if you must, but don't let it become your daily routine. If you have MEETUP. COM in your area, find a group that has your interest and join one. Spend time with friends, make new ones!

I hear you

Sending you a virtual hug. There is true love out there. Keep the faith and keep looking up.💕🤗

Truly Trudy you are better off than you know right now.I believe you will come out on the other side of this and one day the partner that truly sees you for your Beautiful Self,will walk into your life.I just started Radiation Therapy after the Lumpectomy of left Breast.Cancer doesn't define us it makes us stronger. Any time you need to talk I am around ♡

Sweetheart after 18 years thinking of as my husband and raising his son as my own. When I got cancer he told me that was my problem not his. Guess what he has learned to grow up fast and become a man on his own. I walked away within that week. That was 2 years ago now. Im stronger, much happier with my 3 furkids. SO SWEETHEART YOU WILL BE OK IN TIME im sorry jerkO are in our world. Hugs and prayers 💓 You can reach out anytime I'll answer when ever I can. Or soon as I get home. Stay strong. Stronger Together we will be ok.

I hear youTrudy! Give yourself grace to grieve...

Hi Trudy, My Name is: Patsy, and I'm glad to meet you... Like someone else said, if he left you because of your Cancer, he was not the right man to be in your life.. The right person to be in your life will not abandon you, or dump you at this point and time of what you are going through right now... A real man will stick by your side, and go through this with you, and love you through this time in your life... That is what real Love is... I'm 72 year's old, and I've been divorced since 1997, and I have never re-married... My Ex-husband re-married, and his 2nd wife passed away of Cancer, and he never re-married again, but, him and I have a friendly relationship, because I had so much anger, and animosity built up in my heart for him cheating on me for year's, and I had to go to Therapy for a long time, but I finally had to make up in my heart to forgive him, in order for me to move on with my life, and be happy, and I'm so glad I did... I was Diagnosed with (CML), Chronic Myeloid Leukemia on: May 1st, 2023, and have been on Chemo Medication for the last 2 1/2 year's, and I am doing very well.. My body is going into Remission, and that's what I've been Praying for, for a long time... The only thing that gets me through each day, is Prayer... I lost my brother that was a year older than me in: November of 2022, and 5 month's later, I found out about my Cancer, and then, I just lost my baby Sister on: June 29th, 2025, and we just had her Funeral last month on: August 2nd, 2025, and she was only 69 years old... She had had a Stroke last year in July, that she never recovered from, and that was a hard blow for me, and my other Siblings, along with my Mother... My mom is: 95 years old, and we are all still reeling from our Loss, so, with that being said, I know that you can beat this, so, don't let it beat you, okay??? I will be 🙏 Praying for you... And when the right time comes, GOD will put the right man in your life to Love you for who you are, and not just for Sex, because even though that is a part of having a significant other in our lives, but not for that only... I'm hoping that one day, GOD will send me a good man to be in my life, to Love me, and Respect me, no matter what my health may be... So, I would like for you to keep fighting the fight, and don't ever give up... I'm here for you anytime you would like to talk... Be Blessed...

I was pushed aside as well and screamed at for saying it turned out that my cancer was metastatic That was 8 years ago and honestly I am better off without someone who obviously never cared We were engaged also I’m old and don’t have a partner but I’m doing better on my own My illness is enough stress. I go to work every day. I take care of my family because two of my children still live with me and I don’t need the stress or uncertainty of a man that can’t handle what I’m going through. Life has been better without him

Hi Trudy. So sorry to read this. Unfortunately, I’ve seen this a lot. We’re already going through so much physically, mentally and emotionally; the last thing we need to worry about is our relationship. But I have to say that better you know now how he is. Your fiancé. To do that to you through an email and while you’re going through something as traumatic as cancer, is very callous. Hopefully you have strong people in your life that can support you through this. As for this relationship, maybe you can see a counselor to help you through this or a support group. I wish you well all around.

I’ve had a very tough 1 1/2 years. Released from my position after 20 years when the owner sold to a cOrpiration in March. My mother passed away in April while we visiting her on her 94th Birthday. In June I was diagnosed with PD, November 6th I fell & cracked my head open, in December my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, double mastectomy in January. Total hysterectomy for me June 30 which an enormous mass was attached to the wall. Just started chemo Monday. My husband said that I took care of him for many years, now it’s his turn. I thought he would flip out. That’s love! Your ex doesn’t deserve you for him to leave you now. You deserve better. BTW, I’m 74 years old and enjoy each other in many different ways. You take care of yourself and stay positive. Being alone doesn’t mean lonely!!

God is with you & so are many of us!! What a shity thing to do. This is we're in the most need for help * support. Eat well, drink lots of water, talk to your Dr and see what vitamins you may be able to take. Zinc, b-12, magnesium, vitamin c are among the ones most recommended. Trust me...im beating it. Luv ❤️ u. Be strong, u will survive..... REMEMBER U R # 1!!!

Hi Trudy, Mitch is right, GOD is with us all.... Great idea about the Vitamins, I will also check with my Dr to see which Vitamins I'm able to take... You will beat this, because what we are all going through, will make us Stronger... Take care, and have a Blessed Day... Remember, stay Prayed Up...

Trudy, If your fiance dumped you when you need him most for emotional support than he is not worth it. Jesus is always with you. Talk with him, know he loves you. It's ok to be sad for a while but then lift your head up and move on! You have got this!

Sounds like he was a piece of you know what! To dump you over an email is pretty lame in itself, but to do that to someone fighting for their life? He's pretty gross. He did you a favor! Any rate, I'm Megan 😊 I am just starting my second year on chemo. Had a scan that showed the cancer in my liver and lungs resolved, but I have a nasty character of a lymph node in my left armpit that won't calm down, so I start radiation very soon. I'm not very nervous, just wish this nightmare would end. Lost my dad to cancer a year prior to my diagnosis. It's been tough. No sex life either, and my husband and I were just married a year before I was diagnosed as well. I was told I shouldn't because I'd be toxic to him. Is there any truth to that?

Hi Megan G. Because you’re undergoing chemo treatments, the chemo could pass onto your husband when you have sex. You could use condoms though. I purchased a brand called Skyn - Supreme Feel. I had looked up condoms specifically for women and chemo and this was a suggested one. I have not used them because we just did not have sex. My husband was scared to. He said I felt so frail. I hope this helps.