Hello,
I've never posted in a forum before, but I could really use some objective opinions on what is going on in my life.

I was in a long distance relationship. (I'm in Arizona and he's in Ohio.) We met online, and hit it off like crazy. Our conversations lasted for hours, we spoke/texted daily, and had such good chemistry. After getting to know eachother on the phone for a couple months we began alternating visits regularly that were so great each and every time. We began dating exclusively. After 6 months or so, it was pretty obvious we were both really into each other and for the first time in a long time I felt happy that I had met someone that I could see a future with. The distance obviously wasn't ideal, but I knew that eventually one of us would relocate when the time was right.

About 10 months into the relationship he hurt himself at work and it causes him severe pain. The prognosis involves months of physical therapy that are physically and emotionally draining on him. He became frustrated and depressed about the long road ahead and of course the pain that could only be tolerated by painkillers. Soon after, I noticed he began pulling away. Our conversations became short and abrupt a far cry from what they once were. Then days would go by without hearing from him at all. If I didn't initiate the call, we didn't speak. And that was the pattern for a couple months. When we would talk he was not the same. But I knew that he was going through a hard time and this was his way of dealing with this dark place he was in. So I just gave him love, understanding and some space. I tried my hardest not make him feel guilty for pulling way.

As time went by, he would find reasons for me not to come visit him, more and more of my calls and texts went unanswered or responded to days later. After another month or so of this, it really started to make me feel like he didn't want to be bothered at all. I won't lie, it was hurtful -- but I was determined to hold on, because I love him and knew how well things had been before the accident. Finally we had a conversation about it and I shared how I had been feeling. When he heard this, he said he can't deal with the stress of knowing that his problems are making me unhappy. I told him I didn't want to break up, I want to be there for him if he'd just let me in, but all he can do is shut me out.

He broke up with me anyway because he said he had no idea how much this was affecting me and it made him feel bad. Then he said I deserve to find someone locally that can make me happy. He said he still loves me. I'm so sad because on one hand I feel like I was selfish to bring up how I felt, but on the other I should be able to be honest about my feelings. It just became so difficult to keep it bottled up inside and I thought if we talked about it we could deal with things better.

Now, I don't know what to do. Should I put my feelings aside and let him know that I can be there as a friend if he needs it or should I just leave him alone completely. I hate the thought of him going through this alone although it seems like he wants to. All I can do is cry because I feel like I lost my best friend and the man I love.