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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:
Trailblazer66 · 09/10/2019 17:50

I guess I just have a different view on life.

Single mum with my own business so I don't get time off really in any circumstance. I just have to get on with it so I guess I expect everyone else to.

OP posts:
ChoccieEClaire · 09/10/2019 17:50

Trailblazer66
You're expecting him to behave like a husband and a dad, that's huge amount of responsibility to put on him when he is recovering and he doesn't have those roles. Pile on the pressure and you will lose him. I'm sorry to be blunt but you're being way too needy.

Phoebesgift · 09/10/2019 17:51

And you do seem to be obsessing over this man coming to see you more than you are making an effort to settle your unsettled children.

Trailblazer66 · 09/10/2019 17:54

This is a man that's discussing marrying me so I don't think it's wrong of me to expect him to act like a husband.

I've never expected him to act like a dad.

DS1 Has huge emotional issues surrounding dad and it's recently got a lot worse with school and courts getting involved. So to send him there outside our custody arrangement really isn't an option

Anyway I get the message, I'm a horrible needy person.

OP posts:
TellMeWhoTheVilliansAre · 09/10/2019 17:54

Why don't you travel to see him? Let the kids go to their dad(s) and you go to him for a day or two.

NameChangeNugget · 09/10/2019 17:55

I just have to get on with it so I guess I expect everyone else to

There’s your answer. He’s ill yet you expect him to dance to your tune by acting like a husband and Dad.

gamerchick · 09/10/2019 17:55

If the roles were swapped I'd be there in a heartbeat to support him

But he might not want to help you with toileting if it comes up. That would have been really embarrassing for him. You don't know what's going through his head because you're (quite rightly) thinking of yourself. Your relationship has had lots of horrible things happening to it all at once, I dont blame him for wanting some normal time to get over it.

He's told you he's overwhelmed, that suddenly just doesn't go away. Reality has hit about what it means to take on kids that aren't yours. He might just not be willing to be in it for the long haul anymore.

You need to send the kids to their dads and concentrate on getting well. Re evaluate your relationship later.

IrmaFayLear · 09/10/2019 17:56

You heard him, OP. He is overwhelmed by the kids. He likes them, he sees a future with them, but he's been ill. One's own kids are hell to deal with when you're not feeling 100%, let alone someone else's. And you have posted about needing help with them.

Can you imagine getting in the car, driving for two hours and then having to look after an ill person and their children when you've been very ill yourself?

EKGEMS · 09/10/2019 17:56

I just don't understand those posters giving you such a hard time! You and your BF have been through a hell of a lot. Unfortunately he sounds cold and inconsiderate if he's really been out on the town living it up. He should be checking on you daily at minimum and check if you need additional help. Get well.

Teddybear45 · 09/10/2019 17:57

You sound really selfish OP. When you’re sick or your kids are unsettled the world stops, but he gets C-Diff or is off sick and he’s either being rude or inconsiderate. He is not your children’s father and has no responsibility over them . he lives 2 hours away from you so how serious is this relationship really - why are you jumping the gun so fast in wanting him to provide and care for you and your kids?

Phoebesgift · 09/10/2019 17:58

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

sweeneytoddsrazor · 09/10/2019 17:59

Anyway I get the message, I'm a horrible needy person.

What a silly reaction. People aren't saying that. Everyone has sympathy with what you have been through and tried to point out it hasn't been easy for your partner either.

ChoccieEClaire · 09/10/2019 18:06

No one has called you a horrible person but you seem hell bent on trying to turn it that way.
You've had a really tough time of it and everyone has been sympathetic and kind.
You asked for advice on what to do about your partner and you weren't keen on the advice you got. Just because people don't agree with you it doesn't mean they think you are being horrible, they're trying to give you their opinion - which is exactly what you asked for.

frazzledasarock · 09/10/2019 18:07

How long have you been together?

TheMustressMhor · 09/10/2019 18:09

@Phoebesgift

Why are you being so awful to the OP? I have reported your post.

IrmaFayLear · 09/10/2019 18:13

unless he comes tomorrow, there is no point him coming as I always go to his on Friday.

So you are feeling well enough to be able to drive on Friday? Are you able to manage that? And presumably you have the children with you? That doesn't sound like a good idea if you are feeling so awful.

adaline · 09/10/2019 18:13

Anyway I get the message, I'm a horrible needy person.

Nobody has said that, have they?

People have just said you're being a bit unrealistic. Unfortunately part of being in a long-distance relationship is you don't have a partner there 24/7. He has his own life at home and presumably feels more comfortable seeing his friends than driving a four hour round trip on his own. That's okay.

Phoebesgift · 09/10/2019 18:15

You asked if you're being unreasonable and the majority say you are.

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 09/10/2019 18:27

Anyway I get the message, I'm a horrible needy person.

Come on. You've both been seriously I'll. Multiple times, repeatedly! I haven't seen my boyfriend of a few months that we we very much in the honeymoon stage since August because we live 2 hours apart and he got injured and couldn't drive or work then I got I'll, hospitalised and am still nowhere near ready to drive further than very local destinations. Shit happens. Big shit has happened to both of you. 2 hours is a long way to drive when you're not 100%, 4 hours driving in a day and expecting to be fresh and happy for a few hours in the middle to be with somebody ill whose kids are being challenging when you're not 100% yourself is not sane.

I really hope you're both well on the path to recovery with no more set backs FlowersFlowers have you any support with your children that you can call on? Grandparents, friends..?

MrsMaiselsMuff · 09/10/2019 18:36

If you're working on your own business why do you want him there?

Ginger1982 · 09/10/2019 18:40

"Anyway I get the message, I'm a horrible needy person."

There's no need to be like that just because people haven't agreed with you. He's already told you he feels overwhelmed by the kids. Maybe this is a good reason to talk about where you really are taking this relationship. Your kids dads should be stepping in (though I understand about the court order).

chamenanged · 09/10/2019 18:49

I wouldn't take a comment about your wedding day to mean he should act like a husband. He doesn't sound very committed to you at all. I would shift back to thinking of him as just a casual boyfriend for now.

SilverySurfer · 09/10/2019 18:52

I totally agree with IrmaFayLear He has said he's overwhelmed by the DC and having been ill himself obviously finds them too much at the moment. I think he assumes that if he comes to visit he will find himself looking after you and the children at a time when he is some way short of 100% fitness.

TheMustressMhor · 09/10/2019 18:57

He doesn't sound very committed to you at all. I would shift back to thinking of him as just a casual boyfriend for now

I have to agree with this, OP.

I'm sorry you've been so ill. Take the sleeping pills - you will feel so much better after a night's sleep.

You must be very upset that this man doesn't seem to see you as much of a priority. But he's behaving as a single man would, of course. He has no idea how much parents have to sacrifice when they are ill themselves. Flowers

bridgetreilly · 09/10/2019 18:58

This is a man that's discussing marrying me so I don't think it's wrong of me to expect him to act like a husband.

He's not your husband. He lives 2 hours away. You absolutely should not be expecting him to act like a husband now. That is ridiculous.

Also, just because you would do something if the situation was reversed does not make that the right thing to do. You might be really foolish to drive all that way when you are still recovering from being seriously ill. Why should you expect him to do the same?