Posted on 04/22/2023 10:07:40 AM PDT by nickcarraway
A woman running the London Marathon for her ex-boyfriend has admitted she left him because she couldn't cope with his cancer battle.
Danielle Epstein, 32, was buying a house with Jelle Fresen in London last year when he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain tumour at just 37.
He needed a complex operation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and had to learn to walk again.
While all this was going on physics teacher Danielle began having panic attacks and her mental health plummeted - so she ended their relationship.
She moved to Thailand but remained friends with Jelle - and is now running a marathon for a brain tumour charity.
She said she was still 'figuring out' her friendship with Jelle, adding: 'I felt like the most awful person, leaving somebody because they have cancer, but it was damaging my mental health and it wasn't helping Jelle.'
The couple were buying a house in Palmers Green, North London, when Jelle, who works as a Google software engineer, began vomiting and having dizzy spells.
After numerous consultations with GPs and ineffective treatments for an ear infection, the vomiting became much worse.
Jelle went for a private MRI scan using his health insurance with Google.
Doctors found a 'grade 4 medulloblastoma' tumour - normally a cancer that affects children - and he was booked in for surgery in September.
Danielle said: 'We were on a certain path to a certain future and within one day we knew it wasn't going to work out like that any more.
'I was so worried and devastated, I couldn't sleep or eat.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Something similar happened to me.
My ex and I dated from the ages of 14 to 21. We were discussing marriage until one day, two days after his 22nd birthday, he dumped me. He told me he couldn’t be with a sick person anymore, and I found out later he’d been cheating with a mutual friend.
At 16, I’d been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder and when we split, I’d just started dialysis 7 months earlier. His dad had also just died of cancer - on my ex’s frickin’ birthday.
13 years later, he’s back in town being treated for previously undiagnosed bipolar disorder, and has the gall to tell me he’s so happy and relieved that I received a kidney transplant. Now, I’ve been with someone for almost this entire time (nix two months) who actually stood by me. It takes a lot of courage to start dating someone as seriously ill as I was. I’m far better off, especially consodering how unontwntionally narcissistic bipolar disorder is, on top of my ex’s own actual narcissism.
In the year after we broke up, I saw him handing out those rubber “Livestrong” style bracelets to spread awareness about organ transplantation, like he was clearing his conscience. Also, he’s a way-left liberal. It never would have worked anyway.
I feel for this man. I really do.
This self absorbed, cowardly excuse for a person doesn’t deserve time on these boards. I can’t comment for the rest of you because I don’t know your experience, but a few years ago when my wife was diagnosed with uterine cancer, and before she went into hysterectomy surgery, I can remember her fear of it and how she cried at night as she thought she was failing me. I was retired at that time and I can remember sitting up with her all night holding her and soothing her with “it’ll be okay, just wait.” She’s got more courage than a lion. I think my actions would come from any caring person for someone they felt for. So I didn’t do anything special. She let me help her and that’s what I’m for.
Well, through the grace of God and follow on treatments, we got through it and she’s free of it now. Fact is, she’ll probably outlive me. And I think that’s great. We celebrate our 50th in about two months.
I hope Jelle Fresen finds a real caring person who will share her loving and generous feelings and concerns for him and he sends her packing. Anyone deserves better than her.
wy69
Eight years ago, I survived metastatic colon cancer. I saw a number of folk abandoned by people that supposedly cared for them. I hope this treacherous tramp burns alive. That’s as nice as it gets.
By the way, my wife was an unwavering trooper at my side.
I first glance, she looks like a young John McEnroe.
5.56mm
You're right - you are.
You were tested and found wanting.
There's also a reason why two people shacking up isn't a "marriage."
If he could never have been bothered to ask her for marriage, he had no reason to expect her to stick around when things got tough.
“ I say this guy is lucky he never married her.”
Amen to that !
I’m sorry you had to go thru that. It’s such a betrayal.
It’s with dogs you just know.
Yes, but can she play the bass?
She is the poster child for shallow, self-centered, meaningless virtue signaling.
kind of?
Narcissist.
Hadn’t heard that one before.
And your proof of that is?
Here.
Well that explains your name Tacrolimus. Live strong and God bless!
It’s simply mind blowing how people can make such heroes of themselves for the most reprehensible behavior by justifying it in their own minds.
I knew a man who had cancer. His wife didn't leave him per se, but she pretty much ignored him until he died.
Proof of what? That men are more likely to run off?
My doctors told me, and statistics bear out their claim. Plus, several of my fellow female patients were dumped.
Speaking from personal experience, believe me when I say this guy is better off without his ex. Hope he does well.
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