What was life like for blanche after stella left Bell Reve?

Blanche felt abandoned when Stella left Belle Reve. Stella had to maintain a deteriorating estate with shrinking financial resources. We can feel the hurt and frustration in her voice when she addresses Stella,

"You know I haven’t put on one ounce in ten years, Stella? I weigh what I weighed the summer you left Belle Reve. The summer Dad died and you left us. . .”

We are given insight into Blanche's bitterness in losing the estate,

Well, Stella – you’re going to reproach me, I know that you’re bound to reproach me – but before you do – take into consideration – you left! I stayed and struggled! You came to New Orleans and looked out for yourself! I stayed at Belle Reve and tried to hold it together! I’m not meaning this in any reproachful way, but all the burden descended on my shoulders.