Has your lifer tried to push you away?

[Serenity.Q]

Hello all! I'm no longer in a relationship with my guy, but he is on remand for 1st degree and is looking at 25 to life. I do not want to dwell on our breakup, but I came to this forum hoping to get some insight so I can finally be at peace with the whole situation regarding lifers.
Here is a quick recap of my story. We were MBI, 10 years ago, and after he was accused of comitting the crime, I found him and we started a correspondence after he was incarcerated for just three months. After over a year of writing, a couple visits and phone calls since December of last year, we admitted love for eachother. Just recently, a few weeks ago, he wanted to just be friends due to his time. I agreed because we don't know what's going to happen when he is sentenced, and he didn't want to string me along for heartache. I wrote him a letter afterwards, because I wasn't honest and in it, I said even tho it hurts me how we can't be together, I'm cool with being friends. But also that even tho I wasn't too sure about waiting 25 to life, I was willing to give it a try. And if he wanted to continue to correspond with me, its his choice. I'd always be here for him.
So last week, he called me back and said a guard read my letter and told him I'm a keeper. He called almost every day last week and even on valentines day he said he loves me and sweetie and babe like normal. After, I was kind of skeptical because we didn't talk about my letter and I didn't feel like having my heart broken again.
So, he calls last friday, and tried to pawn me off to another man before I could put my two cents in. The guy said he wanted to write to me, I told him to put my guy on the phone. I was confused. So long story short, he calls back and says the same thing about not wanting to continue our relationship because of his long lengthy sentence (he may never get out), and that it hurts him and he knows it hurts me too! Then I got mad and said I understand and can accept that but why was he trying to sell me off to another guy like a used toy! That wasn't cool. I felt very disrespected after all we have been thru in the past year! He said that his buddy is a good guy, and I should give him a chance, he will be getting out soon. Unlike him, he can't do nothing for me and he wants to focus on himself and getting out. In his words, "5-10 years from now it may be different (if he gets paroled). In the end, he tried one more time to get me to talk to his friend, I said no forget it, and he said, ok bye and hung up on me.
Yes, I'm very hurt by this, and I'm trying my best to move on and better myself. But what I'd like to know from others, is has any other lifers gone thru this kind of hopelessness, and become withdrawn from the world because of the time? Even tho I'm upset and hurting, I'm trying my best to forgive and understand what these lifers are going thru. Its a long road to recovery (for both inmates and their spouses alike. I commend everyone going thru this long bid with their loved one. I wish there was more I could do for J, but since he has closed his heart to me, I pray that he will find some inner peace behind those cement walls.
Has any of you had your lifer try to push u away? Is there some that are so hopeless that they give up on everyone and everything? To me, that has got to be a lonely existence. Its a long hard road, and to those still sticking by their man/woman after so many years kudos to u! I know its not easy, refusing to give up hope despite all odds, its admirable.