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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be angry with DP to not visit when I'm sick?

84 replies

Trailblazer66 · 09/10/2019 16:46

To be upset that DP hasn't come to visit me while I'm ill?

This is a long story, please bear with me. Also please be nice. I'll admit I'm an over emotional mess at the moment, in a lot of pain and not sleeping, not a good combination. Also worried that I'm being horrible and selfish.

DP and I live 2hrs apart but spend several days a week together and have been making plans to move in together. I spend weekends at his and he does 1/2 nights a week here as I'm a single mum with 2 kids. He's great with the kids and a very supportive partner. We've never had any issues, until now....

A few weeks ago we both ended up in different hospitals 2hrs apart with suspected meningitis which was incredibly frightening and stressful.

My hospital did a lumbar puncture and diagnosed me with viral meningitis but kept me in for a few days as I was so unwell, also had signs of a tiny bleed on my brain. They also have unfortunately hurt me during the LP and I've been left in quite a state and needing on/off hospital treatment since. I'm in agony and struggling but trying to take it in my stride.

DP's hospital messed up his lumbar puncture and didn't get any fluid and then refused to try again. They discharged him but insisted he went into hospital twice a day for 2 weeks for IV antibiotics just in case he'd had bacterial meningitis. He was beside himself with worry over me and just went along with it so he could get to me asap.

Literally the moment he was discharged he drove all the way to me in my hospital and they agreed to discharg me as my repeat CT and MRI were clear. Then we arranged to have his care switched there. My hospital booked him for a specialist lumbar puncture and successfully diagnosed him as not having bacterial meningitis so stopped his antibiotics.

In between all this DP developed C Diff and became very unwell and ended up back in hospital but only for a few hours. He was rather horrible and difficult to me and hospital staff but in fairness he was unwell and a bit shellshocked I think. I brushed his behaviour under the carpet but did have 24hrs of being shouted at and having to help him with toileting etc as he was so ill when I wasn't very well myself. I don't mind as I love him and that's what you do, I'm my opinion when someone is sick. He later apologised and I said it was all ok. He joked that he didn't want any hospital stories told on "our wedding day".

We'd arranged for my children to stay away for a while until we knew he was no longer contagious but had them home for a few days. The kids were a bit more unsettled than usual, understandably as I'd been in hospital. During this time I could see DP seemed to be struggling a bit but he said he was fine. The boys went back to their dads and DP's parents offered to pay for a hotel for us for a few nights so we could get away for a few days.

We had 2 lovely days in Snowdonia. The day after we came home DP seemed withdrawn but again said everything was ok.

The next day I started feeling extremely unwell and decided to go home and visit my local A&E. DP had a check up at his doctors the next day so we agreed I'd go home alone for now and he'd come later in the week. I ended up back in hospital vomiting blood due to a stomach ulcer caused by the antiinflammatories I'm on. They also said they think I might have nerve damage in my back.

DP meanwhile was given a clean bill of health by his doctor but the Dr extended his sick note by another week just to be safe.

I've since come home from the hospital and am really struggling with very little support and now have my 2 children at home. The stomach ulcer is making me very sick and my back is killing me. They've given me strong painkillers but I can't easily take them when the kids are awake because they make me very dopey. I'm not able to sleep and just want to cry all the time. I've been back to my GP today and he's given me some light sleeping tablets but again I'm a bit anxious about taking them when I have the kids. At the moment I can't even walk my children to school or take them to the park and I feel like a failure as a mother. I'm starting physical therapy next week which should help. I'm trying to be strong but I'm very scared that I might never get better and I feel very lonely. Most of my friends work etc.

I was very overemotional and had a small argument on Monday and DP where admitted he felt "overwhelmed" by the kids. I said I understood and gave him the opportunity to walk away from the relationship which and he was adamant that he doesn't want to break up. He said that he wants to be with me "more than anything" and that he wants to make it work. He "adores" the kids and "if I'm going to do this with any kids then it's going to be yours." He's just not used to having kids because he's always lived on his own and just needs time to learn to adapt and he was already very overwhelmed with everything else that had happened. Ok fair enough. I totally understand that. We made a plan of how we were going to move forward but he didn't mention when he'd next come to stay and I didn't want to push him. We texted back and forth yesterday and spoke on the phone. He seemed concerned about me but at no point mentioned coming to stay.

I'm starting to feel a bit hurt that he's having a whole week off work and hasn't made any effort to come and see me and that he hasn't even offered. I understand he's feeling overwhelmed by the kids but I don't think one day is a lot to ask when I've been in hospital and am now really unwell at home. But at the same time I can't work out if I'm being over emotional and unreasonable?

So today I texted him asking him if he's planning on staying here this week at all so I knew where I stood and he's replied saying this:

"Yeah possibly babe, I haven't thought about a possible day or anything yet though. How come? How are you feeling today? xx"

This really confused me because he is saying possibly but hasn't even thought about a day. It's already Wednesday so, unless he comes tomorrow, there is no point him coming as I always go to his on Friday. The fact he's admitting he hasn't thought about a possible day really hurts me too. I just think if he really cared he'd make the effort to be here at some point this week or that he'd have thought about it. I understand might need time to himself after everything but to not even visit for a day seems unreasonable to me.

I have absolutely no idea how to respond to him so I haven't replied for the time being as my head is a mess and I don't want to say something unreasonable. In fairness he's an amazing partner and this is the only time he's upset me, maybe I'm being too needy?

What do you think? Am I entitled to be a bit hurt or am I being horrible? How would you respond?

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 09/10/2019 16:53

If he's great with the kids then why can't he come stay to help you with them? He should probably have been there all week in my opinion. Is he ready to live together when he doesn't want to take care of them without you? Is he ready to be a stepfather?

Apolloanddaphne · 09/10/2019 16:53

I think you have both had a period of being ill and you both need time to heal and get better. You can have no idea how exhausted he may be or how this might have affected him mentally. I can understand you could do with support right now. I think it is the father of your DC who needs to step up and have them a bit more to allow you to rest, not your DP.

TheDarkPassenger · 09/10/2019 16:56

You need to think about your kids IMO

They need to come first!

Zebraaa · 09/10/2019 16:58

I agree with @apolloanddaphne

He’s been poorly too. You both need to rest and relax, not thinking about travelling hours to each other.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 09/10/2019 16:59

You have both been very unwell. He may still be feeling low and tired and he has told you he feels a bit overwhelmed at the moment. Looking after children can come as a shock if you are not used to it and he may have struggled doing more of the caring for them whilst you were ill. He needs time to make sure he is doing the right thing. If I were you I woud be staying home this weekend whilst the Dcs are with their dad and resting and taking it easy. Give yourself time to get a bit better then start discussing where your relationship is going.

Hannahmates · 09/10/2019 17:02

He's not "off" this week though. He's still on sick leave. He's recovering too. Think both of you need to wait and not make big decisions right now. You're both overwhelmed.

DrDetriment · 09/10/2019 17:03

As the child free partner of someone with kids, it can feel overwhelming and as he's been ill too it sounds like he needs some time in his own home resting. The whole 'take care of your own needs first so you are able to take care of others' type thing. I hope you feel better soon. If he continues like this next week then it's time to have a chat with him but in the meantime let him recover fully too.

RatherBeRiding · 09/10/2019 17:05

You've both been seriously ill and you say your DC have been "unsettled" (understandably of course).

He probably just wants to rest up at home before he has to go back to work. This too is understandable.

You are still ill and feeling overwhelmed (understandable!).

Like a pp said - can the boys go to their father for a bit until you and your DP are properly on your feet?

Trailblazer66 · 09/10/2019 17:06

I don't want to send my children away, they've already been disrupted enough. I've asked them what they want to do and they want to stay with me. I'm focussing on putting them first.

I wouldn't expect him to come if he was still unwell or if I thought he wasn't up to it. He said "he's absolutely fine" and has been given the all clear. He's been out with friends, playing snooker in the evenings etc.

OP posts:
MrsMaiselsMuff · 09/10/2019 17:06

You both need time to rest and that is always best done in your own home. I don't think he is being unreasonable at all.

FizzyIce · 09/10/2019 17:08

I think you’ve both have been through a lot and both deserve a break ,his is to stay home and not worry about anyone else but yours is you wanting him to come over .
Think you both just need a bit of time .
They’re not his responsibility so if you need help I’d be asking their dad

Seeline · 09/10/2019 17:09

He is on sick leave. Why do you think he should be travelling 2 hours each way because you have been sick, when he has been ill too?

I think you both need a bit of a rest and time to recuperate. Could hte DCs dad not be helping out a bit more to let you have some rest?

MrsMaiselsMuff · 09/10/2019 17:10

There's a difference between seeing friends for a few hours and having to look after two children.

How long have you been together?

If the children go to their dad every weekend whilst you are away, surely they won't notice a few more days?

adaline · 09/10/2019 17:12

Just rest and focus on your children. I think the last thing they need is your boyfriend hanging around.

grumpypregnanttired · 09/10/2019 17:15

It sounds like he needs some time to recuperate as he’s also been through a lot and it probably wanting a week off to relax and not rush round to yours to nurse you/help with your kids. I don’t mean that in a horrible way but just being honest - he’s probably just wanting a relaxing week off after being sick

Trailblazer66 · 09/10/2019 17:16

I'm not asking him to look after my children! They're at school all day. And I'm not expecting him to stay either.

Just think it would be nice for him to visit and give me a cuddle when I've been back in hospital and am now very unwell. That's all.

OP posts:
Seeline · 09/10/2019 17:17

A four hour round trip for a cuddle when he hasn't been well either! I think you're expecting a bit much.

FizzyIce · 09/10/2019 17:17

That’s not how you put it though ...

grumpypregnanttired · 09/10/2019 17:17

Agree that your children need to go to their dads or you’re not going to be able to recover properly. If you send the children away for a few days you can take the painkillers and sleeping tablets and wake up in a few days feeling much better. Staying in this state isn’t doing them much good, as much as you don’t want to send them away, it’s ultimately in everyone’s best interest.

NearlyGranny · 09/10/2019 17:17

Hmm, he's good for a funded weekend away, good for nights out with friends, not committing to time supporting you with the kids.

When the going gets tough, the challenged find other things to do.

It may work out just fine, OP. You'll soon know.

taytosandwich · 09/10/2019 17:18

It's not really his place to come and give you a break while you're feeling unwell so I think YABU in that regard. I also think you possibly aren't ready to move in together so give it more time. See your GP again to discuss the medication you've been prescribed and ask for a non drowsy pain relief.

Take the weekend and spend it with your kids. Rest up and have PJ days and movie nights. Don't rush to DP on Friday when you aren't well, your children need their regular routine and he seems to want a bit of space. I'm sure it'll all be fine when you have both recovered.

ChoccieEClaire · 09/10/2019 17:18

Wow you have both really been through it recently. I really hope you recover soon Flowers
I dont think it's unreasonable that he has some time to himself this week to properly recuperate. He has been through a lot recently too and just because he is feeling better then you currently he may not feel emotionally well enough to look after you all.
Your children aren't his responsibility though, and as he doesn't have children himself he really won't understand what it's like to try and cope with children when you're feeling ill.
I would say leave seeing him until the weekend, if you see him this week with the children the stress levels will be high and you're both likely to say things that could affect your relationship going forward.

Trailblazer66 · 09/10/2019 17:23

He was well enough to go away in Snowdonia, walking over 20000 steps in one day, well enough to watch Rally cars in the rain for hours but isn't well enough to just spend a night here.

OP posts:
Phoebesgift · 09/10/2019 17:24

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Trailblazer66 · 09/10/2019 17:24

Just feels like he's well enough to do everything apart from see me.

But I guess I'm being selfish.

OP posts:
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