Hi I am new to the group this is the first time I’m talking to anyone about Parkinson’s disease, my partner was diagnosed July 2025 when he was 50 years old, it’s become quite scary as Iv tried to block out what’s happening next as fear for what my partner is going through or what is going to happen. Iv just nursed my mum till she passed last year who had dementia and Alzheimer’s and cancer and my partner has also just had cancer too, I feel scared and so sad for my partner and need someone to talk to about this
Hi @Claire18, thank you for sharing all of this, it sounds like you’ve been carrying an enormous amount, and it’s completely understandable to feel scared and overwhelmed. Supporting your mum through dementia, Alzheimer’s and cancer, and then facing your partner’s diagnosis and cancer too, that’s a lot for anyone be facing all at once.
You’re not alone in this, and you don’t have to manage it all by yourself. If you’d like to talk things through with someone, our free, confidential helpline is here for anyone affected by Parkinson’s: 0808 800 0303. We can offer support for you, as well as your partner.
Reaching out here is a really strong first step, and we’re here for you 
The Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team
Thank you so much for the support xx
Hello Claire18
For various reasons that don’t matter here I don’t post much on the forum just now but most days I log on and read a few just to keep a foot in the door so to speak. Now and again a post will particularly resonate and I will reply and so it was with yours.
First I will say don’t be so hard on yourself. It strikes me that even without your partner’s diagnosis both cancer and dementias are very difficult and emotionally draining conditions not least for anyone trying to care for someone. It’s all recent for you to and no doubt one thing has collided with another. The Parkinson’s diagnosis has added another layer and you must be exhausted. It was brave of you to post as you have and I hope just writing it helped. I think you are probably exhausted and would love to stop the world and get off for a few days but since that’s not an option you carry on but it is important to look after yourself too if that’s what you want. So don’t beat yourself up, take a breath, give yourself time and space to grieve - you owe it to yourself to do that.
Re the Parkinson’s, I can tell you that come December I will be 17 years post diagnosis. I was 52 and all in all I reckon I’m holding up pretty well. Not always easy I grant you but with time it is possible, as you and your partner will find, it is possible to have a good quality of life for many years with Parkinson’s - even if not the life you saw for yourself. May I suggest you read some of the posts by newly diagnosed as I suspect many will match what both of you are feeling and the responses may help - my name will probably show up somewhere lol
Take care
Tot (I have Parkinson’s it doesn’t have me)