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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

My ex hurt me when she dumped me. Now she is dying and wants to see me

Woman sitting on hospital bed
I had to make a total break with my ex, but now she wants to see me before she goes. Photograph: Martin Barraud/Getty Images/Caiaimage

Nine years ago, I met a wonderful woman with whom I fell in love very deeply; we had the most amazing connection and I learned so much from her. Then, five years ago, she dumped me. It was a huge shock and utterly devastating. She wanted to be friends, but I had to make a total break or I would have lived in constant agony. It took a good couple of years to get over, but now I have a very good life, and a relationship with another very special person. A few weeks ago, my ex’s family contacted me to say she is terminally ill and wants to see me again before she dies. Part of me feels surprisingly tense, hurt and angry at the prospect; part of me feels calm and curious and wants to meet briefly to say goodbye. What should I do?

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• If you would like fellow readers to respond to a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of about 150 words. For advice from Pamela Stephenson Connolly on sexual matters, send us a brief description of your concerns.

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