Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I right to regret ever sleep walking into becoming my partners carer?

308 replies

RakshaUK · 11/10/2025 20:17

It started with getting up in the early hours to help him put his socks on to go to work. Then he developed leg ulcers, so showers became a performance because the dressing on the ulcers couldn't get wet, so I had to help putting a waterproof sleeve over them.
Then, about 15 years ago he started to develop a lump in his groin, GP thought it was a lipoma, said it could be removed when it became a problem. About 5 years ago - 2020 it was limiting his mobility to such an extent he couldn't walk from his disabled parking space to his desk (they did look at moving his desk under reasonable adjustments but it wasn't thought to be reasonable because they IT dept needed to be able to communicate easily). So the week before we went into lockdown, he took early retirement!
Basically he sat in his chair all day, wouldn't do anything else, and complained that he was losing his mobility. I pointed out on an almost daily basis that if he didn't use it, he'd lose it. GP sent a lovely chap to try and motivate him, he'd agree to all the tasks, then not do anything about them.
He's been referred to 3 different surgeons with regard to the removal of the lump (which is now so big it hangs like a good sized pumpkin between his knees), one took a look at his belly, which hangs infront of it after losing about 5 stone, and declared it was a pannus not a lipoma!
We've since moved and our current surgery are trying to get a MultiDisciplinaryTeammeeting together, including him, and me to act as his advocate, since July! He's spent 4 weeks in hospital with cellulitis.
What is really getting to me is his attitude towards me. E seems to do as little as possible and leaves me to clear up after him.I'm not one of nature's nurses, I feel like a caged animal listening to his moans and cries, and of course he must feel worse...
So WHY WONT HE DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?
Even his nurses say he's got to be a squeaky wheel and on the phone to the GP Surgery every day. He does nothing to help himself, or me. I'm 65, older than him, with my own mobility issues (I use a power chair outside if I have to), I'm also type 2 diabetic and recently diagnosed ADHD and Autistic. I also have many incidents of trauma in my life which haven't all been put to bed. His nurse today suggested he make me a cup of tea every day (I have a shower stool out there to sit on when I'm cooking or washing up that he could use) doing that would double his step count for the day!
He passes wind, and doesn't apologise. He leaves shitty finger prints every where (he will go to the toilet for poos, but doesn't wash his hands) Wees he has to do by standing up while I shove a washing up bowl underneath him (the lump means he sprays wee everywhere and dribbles if he's anywhere near wanting to go when he walks) He can't wear underwear or incontinence pads because of the lump, trousers are a thing of the past, so he has a blanket across his knees to hide everything.
I like our house, i like sharing it with my two dogs and two cats. I have just had it up to here with being his carer.

OP posts:
Dillydollydingdong · 11/10/2025 22:03

I stopped at you getting up early to help him put on his socks! Whaaat!!!??? Just dump him. You've got a life of your own.

tinyspiny · 11/10/2025 22:03

Autumn1990 · 11/10/2025 21:46

If you withdraw your care he will either get up and get on with it or he will go downhill fast and end up in a care home. So I don’t think you’ve got anything to lose withdrawing your care. If anyone asks tell them it’s too hard with your disabilities. They can’t argue with that

This sounds about right to me . I hope things improve for you @RakshaUK

GreyBeeplus3 · 11/10/2025 21:59

Read your post and couldn't quite believe what I was reading!
Ask yourself this, if the shoe was on the other foot, what would HE do?
Then copy that example
Good luck and future happiness to you my Darling it won't be easy but it'll be worth it

lauraloulou1 · 11/10/2025 21:59

OP are there serious addiction and MH issues here? No judgement - whatever gets you through - but unless this is extreme exaggeration this is no way to live. You must cut ties. Research and find a place or person to take your animals and get out of this life. This is not OK. You know this - I am sure the nurses and professionals you are in contact with do too. Get out. Good luck xx

Mischance · 11/10/2025 21:58

I also speak as someone who provided care for my late OH - the difference was that he appreciated it within his mental limitations.

Mischance · 11/10/2025 21:57

It is time to call a halt to this.

The statutory services and the benefits system treat carers very poorly. A carer's assessment is not worth the paper it is written on - I speak as an ex-social worker. It is just a box ticked.

You need to go to SSD and state simply that you cam no longer carry out any care tasks for him as you are not well enough.

Go and stay somewhere else for a break and leave them to deal with it.

I know this sounds hard but carers deserve lives too; and your partner is not being remotely considerate of your needs, so does not deserve your care.

Quamarina · 11/10/2025 21:52

What the hell no, living in the shed in winter with your cats & dogs isn’t a better idea, at all. Especially if you have your own mobility issues. If he’s getting piss & poo everywhere now with you living there, it will be a field day when you aren’t.

Have you had the conversation with him that he needs to think about assisted living, like a warden controlled flat, even temporary to give you some respite. You can’t go on like this & if he won’t wash his hands after a crap then another round of cellulitis is almost inevitable, this is so unfair on you. You need to tell him that you can’t cope with any more than you already have, he’s exhausted the limit of your carer capabilities & if he’s not even willing to scrub the poop from his nails then you can’t go on. If he can wipe his bum he can hold one of those wee tank things & empty it out down the loo. This is too much. You have your own health issues.

I feel very sorry for him too, it sounds a terrible state to be in but that doesn’t excuse everything he’s putting on you & when you start thinking about living in the garden as a great idea, something has to give.

DaylesfordBroccoli · 11/10/2025 21:51

Ok, see a solicitor and draft a notice of severance so you can leave your share of the house to whoever you like, leave him, I mean seriously - shitty fingerprints?!?! What the fuck, who gets shot on their hands in the first place but then doesn’t wash it off?

PermanentTemporary · 11/10/2025 21:50

It sounds really aggressive. Covering your home in shit.

So it’s a pannus. So what - where’s the surgical plan?? This is insane, Kafkaesque. I’d feel like sending pissy cloths to the surgical team until somebody DID SOMETHING. (Don’t do this).

Give him the phone and move to the cabin. Something might happen if you walk out.

How did the nurses manage in hospital? Did he have a Conveen? Why doesn’t he have one now?

LousyGolfer · 11/10/2025 21:48

Let me guess- you’re not married and, apart from the shared house, he has savings or assets that will go to someone else when he dies? At that point, you’ll get nada except the realisation that your effort in caring hasn’t eroded someone else’s inheritance.

GoldBalonz · 11/10/2025 21:48

PhuckTrump · 11/10/2025 20:27

You lost me at shitty fingerprints all over the house. LTB.

Fucking too right. The stinking, dirty, disgusting pig.

EternallyNapTrapped · 11/10/2025 21:48

This is one of the worst things I've read on here. When was the last time he contributed anything at all positive to your life, OP? You get one shot at life on this earth and you're wasting yours tethered to this absolutely vile specimen.
I've known many chronically unwell and disabled people, and have cared for a few. None of them have been as contemptuous and selfish as this person. He has no respect for you. Please leave.

Autumn1990 · 11/10/2025 21:46

If you withdraw your care he will either get up and get on with it or he will go downhill fast and end up in a care home. So I don’t think you’ve got anything to lose withdrawing your care. If anyone asks tell them it’s too hard with your disabilities. They can’t argue with that

Greenwitchart · 11/10/2025 21:45

Leave and divorce this man OP. You and your animals will be better off.

CoastalCalm · 11/10/2025 21:45

It is absolutely unacceptable that he won’t wash his hands before we even get onto the other stuff - I’m so sorry you’re going through this , can you advocate on his behalf with the specialists ? I know it’s not your job but surgery may at least improve the situation - is he still very overweight ?

Lotsofsnacks · 11/10/2025 21:45

Why on gods earth does he not wash hands after having a poo? Is he using loo paper to wipe, does the lump affect wiping properly, but why is it going on his hands??? This would send me running for the hills, shitty fingerprints on walls!! OP u need a medal xx

OrangeSlices998 · 11/10/2025 21:45

RakshaUK · 11/10/2025 21:42

I have a better idea. We have an insulated cabin in the garden that could easily be a semi self contained unit for me and the animals. Could use the kitchen and bathroom in the house.

If you’re in the garden you’ll still end up somehow involved and responsible. This sounds awful I know but is it really worth staying in this miserable awful life for pets? Take them with you, or find somewhere temporary for them and get them back when you’re on your feet. I love my husband but if he had no respect for himself I’d have no respect for him. Get out OP, life is short.

Tiddlywinkly · 11/10/2025 21:43

PhuckTrump · 11/10/2025 20:27

You lost me at shitty fingerprints all over the house. LTB.

Yep, this

RakshaUK · 11/10/2025 21:42

PhuckTrump · 11/10/2025 21:38

Force a sale, run for the non-shit-covered hills, and buy your own place.

I have a better idea. We have an insulated cabin in the garden that could easily be a semi self contained unit for me and the animals. Could use the kitchen and bathroom in the house.

OP posts:
Pollqueen · 11/10/2025 21:40

Fuck me, I'd be long gone, its one thing caring for a loved one who does as much as they can to help themself but he's taking the piss, literally

Does he contribute anything at all to your life?

GoodOldTrayBake · 11/10/2025 21:40

In all seriousness, OP. Make a plan.

  • find a solicitor, pay a retainer, ask them to initiate divorce proceedings and a court order to sell the house
  • wait
  • sell house
  • take 50% equity
  • Buy yourself a nice small flat somewhere and live your remaining years in peace with your pets
stichguru · 11/10/2025 21:40

Unless he's got severe dementia, sod him, even sod the pets, just run. Just set your self somewhere up to go, gather what you need and go. He's disgusting by choice. If he can pee in a washing up bowel, and walk to the loo for poos, he can wee in the loo and hit it. Walk away.

Barney16 · 11/10/2025 21:40

Oh OP, I would just leave. He's taking advantage of you. Do you think if he was alone he would have more motivation to sort himself out?

Oifeathers · 11/10/2025 21:38

RakshaUK · 11/10/2025 21:36

Because of the difficulty in finding short term accommodation that accepts animals.

There are changes expected to the renters rights bill that will make this easier. Or can a friend or family member take the pets until you get sorted?

PhuckTrump · 11/10/2025 21:38

RakshaUK · 11/10/2025 21:36

Because of the difficulty in finding short term accommodation that accepts animals.

Force a sale, run for the non-shit-covered hills, and buy your own place.