We learned that according to a recent study; when a woman is diagnosed with a terminal illness, the divorce rate is 20.8 %. When a man is diagnosed, the rate is only 2.9%
I refuse to make this all, "Man Bashy". The bottom line is; EVERY situation is different. A lot of times women push men away. If I had to be honest with myself, I'd have to admit I would probably try to make him leave. I think we, (as women) feel the need to comfort the spouse, fix the problems in the household and generally take care of the ones we love. It's inherent. When we are the ones who suddenly need the care, the guilt of putting someone else through that can multiply the emotional pain. I think I would probably try the, "Run...save yourself" approach. As a way of still taking care of his needs and alleviating some of the guilt.
I'm not saying it doesn't happen...Look at John Edwards. Wife gets sick, before you know it...BOOM! All over CNN with his mistress and baby moving in down the street from he and his cancer-stricken wife and a huge news story about how he's going to marry the mistress, as soon as the wife dies, with the Dave Mathews Band playing the wedding song. Imagine how this poor woman feels, she's fighting the beast of her life and now this?, (Makes your skin crawl doesn't it?).
If you're in a situation like this; take breaks, find a support group, TELL people what's going on, it's OK that you're not perfect, it's OK to feel like you want to run away sometimes...in fact, it's normal.
Take care of you first, the rest will fall into place.
Stinky Blog