Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to give my DH another chance?

20 replies

LostHurtAndConfused · 01/03/2023 20:56

Hi, had to amend my first post due to being too detailed on some topics. Hi, apologies in advance for the long post but don't want to drip feed, so here I go. I am a cancer patient for a long time. 5 yrs ago I had a recurrence, so am on palliative care now and have been prescribed Oxycodone (5ml) dose for occasionally recurring pain. Just before New Year 2023 I found out that my DH has used my last supply that I kept in my handbag plus quite a lot I had left over. I lost it and left to stay away with a relative whilst saying to him that I am done with him. Get a call on 1st January from my DS - they've been at A&E all night on NYE because my DH had a complete brake down and tried to take his life. Long story short, I agreed to give him a chance if he attended AA session, therapy, etc. However, my DS (who's been having his own MH problems since 16yrs old) is not at all supportive of my decision. He believes that DH won't change and will lie and hurt me again. DH had a 2 year-long affair after my recurrence with a woman who lives abroad where he used to go for work 2-3 times a year. I've worked hard to forgive and keep our family together and just can't live someone that I've loved for 25 years when he is really struggling with coping. But my DS doesn't agree and it's making it even harder to move on.... He doesn't trust DH anymore at all - AIBU to give another chance?

OP posts:
Pashazade · 01/03/2023 21:14

Well I was on the fence until you got to the 2 year long affair. No I'm with your son, you need a clean break. He's also been incredibly selfish stealing your drugs and causing his child massive distress. Walk away and save yourself a lot of pain.

ScrollingLeaves · 01/03/2023 21:23

Getting back with him is the last thing you need.

You can’t save him anyway. He stole your drugs while he was with you, he had an affair while he was with you. So being with you doesn’t help him anyway.

He is an addict who has to take charge of his own life.

Make the most of your DS who needs you. Keep this man away.

Get therapy to not feel guilty. There must be something in your past making you believe you are responsible for everything. You are not.

Wearingatshirt · 01/03/2023 21:25

Pashazade · 01/03/2023 21:14

Well I was on the fence until you got to the 2 year long affair. No I'm with your son, you need a clean break. He's also been incredibly selfish stealing your drugs and causing his child massive distress. Walk away and save yourself a lot of pain.

This. Don't get back with him out of pity or a sense of duty or guilt. He let you down completely when you needed him most. Value yourself more.

Newstartonwards · 01/03/2023 21:27

Pashazade · 01/03/2023 21:14

Well I was on the fence until you got to the 2 year long affair. No I'm with your son, you need a clean break. He's also been incredibly selfish stealing your drugs and causing his child massive distress. Walk away and save yourself a lot of pain.

And check your will and your pension nominated person and make sure it is not your DH

make it water tight and fast

Marchforward · 01/03/2023 21:28

You posted another thread on this earlier tonight. You’re not going to get different answers.

NellietheElephantpackedhertrunks · 01/03/2023 21:28

So the TLDR is: you have terminal cancer, your DH stole your painkiller drugs and had a long-running affair when he knew you were so ill. Even your son doesn’t want you to be with DH.

Do you need to ask?

LostHurtAndConfused · 01/03/2023 21:35

Marchforward · 01/03/2023 21:28

You posted another thread on this earlier tonight. You’re not going to get different answers.

I explained that due to oversharing I fell foul if MN guidelines , so have amended my original post and the old one was deleted by MN.

OP posts:
LostHurtAndConfused · 01/03/2023 21:46

@NellietheElephantpackedhertrunks I agree that when you put it like that, it seems a no brainer. But it really isn't black and white. We've been together over 25yrs. When I was initially diagnosed, he was there 100%. Then my DSS got very ill - still is, living with us, unable to work, our DS was diagnosed with MH problems and we found out that DSS was abused for years by her stepdad from a very young age. My DH had to hold a very demanding job to support everyone whilst feeling that he can't share his struggles being the only "healthy" one. So both these situations were him trying to somehow find ways to cope/escape - albeit in a completely wrong ways.

OP posts:
growgrowinggrown · 01/03/2023 21:51

LostHurtAndConfused · 01/03/2023 21:46

@NellietheElephantpackedhertrunks I agree that when you put it like that, it seems a no brainer. But it really isn't black and white. We've been together over 25yrs. When I was initially diagnosed, he was there 100%. Then my DSS got very ill - still is, living with us, unable to work, our DS was diagnosed with MH problems and we found out that DSS was abused for years by her stepdad from a very young age. My DH had to hold a very demanding job to support everyone whilst feeling that he can't share his struggles being the only "healthy" one. So both these situations were him trying to somehow find ways to cope/escape - albeit in a completely wrong ways.

So during incredibly difficult times your husband found the time to pursue another woman for 2 years instead of pouring that effort and attention into his own family who clearly desperately needed him.
You know you'd be daft, you'd be upsetting your fragile child, and for what?
If you can't find respect for yourself then do it for your son.

Donnashair · 01/03/2023 21:56

He can’t share how he feels so steals your medication and shags someone else….for 2 years.

Surely this situation isn’t helping your sons MH?

Donnashair · 01/03/2023 21:58

Oh and I hold down a very demanding job. My dp is disabled. Ds has ASD. I know what it’s like to feel you have to keep it all together. My Dps mum died when he was a baby. So when my mum died, when I was 40, I felt I couldn’t talk to dp as I felt guilty because at least I had mum for a lot longer than he had his.

I don’t steal medication, shag anyone else or put my kids the position of having to spend all night in A&E because I can’t cope with the consequences of my actions.

A demanding job is not excuse

AnneLovesGilbert · 01/03/2023 21:58

I’ll repeat myself. He’s a complete bastard and you owe it to your son and to yourself not to let him anywhere near either of you. Prioritise your son fgs.

You’ve got to know this.

Notimeforaname · 01/03/2023 22:08

Well you're just giving us all his excuses.

I believe your mind is made up and you wont leave him but youd like to have some people agree with you so you dont feel so bad about it.

mediumbrownmug · 01/03/2023 22:50

Okay, as a cancer survivor I was prescribed 5mg of oxycodone at one point too, and you have to be in a LOT of pain to get those kinds of meds (as in, my bones were collapsing in on themselves; I can imagine what you’re going through). If your husband was stealing much-needed prescription pain meds from his cancer patient wife, and also had a two year affair, I would suggest with all the kindness in the world that whether or not you want to take him back is the very least of the issues here.

He’s an addict, a cheater, he’s highly unstable, and he has sought no treatment for any of his problems. Before he’s capable of having a meaningful, healthy relationship he’ll need to work on his issues for a sustained period of time, and demonstrate that he’s stable for an even longer period afterwards. And he will need to do so without an enabler. He’s put you in the position of enabler by stealing your meds, cheating, lying, etc. and having no actual repercussions for his actions. Why do you keep disrespecting your own boundaries for this man? You’re unwittingly teaching him how to manipulate you, and it appears to be the only thing he’s learned from his mistakes.

You need to realize that your entire cancer treatment and life or death could very well end up devoted to, and revolving around, his issues, not yours. Is that what you want? Understand that you’re feeling sorry for him because he’s struggling: now imagine how he ought to feel about you, going through actual cancer. But he doesn’t, does he? Why isn’t he there for you when you’re struggling? Why does he have you always helping him, while he’s hurting you? Your son appears to be the only one who feels as he ought for you, but you reject his loving concern in favor of poor treatment from your husband. May I ask why? Your son is supporting your stated boundaries, and your husband is asking you to trample them. May I ask what you’re teaching your son about relationships?

Your son is correct in pointing out that your relationship with this man is unhealthy, the balance of power is massively unequal and the dynamic is toxic, and that taking him back would amount to enabling behavior. Hypothetically, what if you took him back and he were to overdose on your pills?

Have a serious think about why you’re with this man. When I was sick, a partner’s problems could have provided a distraction from, or seemed easier to face and fix than, my own serious health issues. I’m just being honest here, cancer is so freaking hard. Just know that you matter, too. Maybe have some therapy and focus on yourself. You’re going through a LOT, even without this man.

If it were me, I would leave. The stress of this could be very bad for you. I’m so sorry you’re going through all this.

mediumbrownmug · 01/03/2023 23:11

Just wanted to add that your update makes no difference, OP. He may be the “healthy one”, but you are the one dealing with recurring cancer, a two-year affair, an addict spouse, a vulnerable teen, a partner who tried to end it all and dragged your fragile 16 year old into it, emotional manipulation, and you seem to be handling it all without cheating, descending into actual addition, or stealing drugs from your family members.

So there’s that.

And for what it’s worth, I didn’t do those things either. Nor did my partner. Or anyone else I was in treatment with. Sure, we struggled because cancer is hard; but we talked about our struggles, and when appropriate, got therapy. Of course some people make mistakes, nobody’s perfect. But STEALING MEDS FROM A CANCER PATIENT and having a TWO YEAR affair is not a “mistake” or a “coping mechanism.” It’s horrible, and made worse by the fact that he did it to his own wife! If he’d stolen meds from a different cancer patient, would you be more or less angry and willing to stay? Why is that?

I’m sorry that he’s normalized this behavior for you. A real partner should be willing to do absolutely anything to get you the meds you need, and stay faithfully by your side. Which is the complete opposite of what’s happened here.

LostHurtAndConfused · 02/03/2023 06:44

Thank you all for your responses - harsh or otherwise. That's why I posted here. Needed to hear from "outsiders" because I don't seem to be able to see clearly. And, I guess, I'm quite afraid of the enormity of what I need to do: divorce, sell house, etc, etc... Just not sure I can cope with it all... My DS is now 21 but struggling with his MH problems and not working. I don't have close family, apart from my unwell mother (I also help her as much as possible). So I've been thinking of a future without me and trying to ensure that my DS has support when I'm gone (my DH has always been there for all the kids).

OP posts:
Pashazade · 02/03/2023 08:12

Your best bet for your son is to divorce not so DH and secure a new property with what's left for you and your son which you can then leave him in your will. Someone prepared to try suicide in front of their children or whilst they are in the house is not someone putting their children first. Your husband has proven he is unstable I would not be considering him as a fit executor or safe person for my child's future security. Will you inherit from your mother? Would moving in with her be sustainable/workable? Being blunt if you do inherit if you are no longer married it will be more in the pot for your sons future needs.

LostHurtAndConfused · 02/03/2023 12:44

@Pashazade I'm not too concern with the financials. My parents gifted to me their property long ago and I'm doing the same for my DS. We are relatively comfortable. That's why I know that if my DH wanted to, he could've easily bought stuff from anywhere without me having a clue. I don't use my painkillers much, that's why there were loads around. I guess that's why I partly blame myself for being too naive when he did (very occasionally) asked me to have one when we, say, didn't have other over the counter stuff at home. I guess over time it became easier and easier for him to just help himself without me noticing. I didn't even realise how addictive they are, or I would've taken much better care...

OP posts:
LostHurtAndConfused · 02/03/2023 12:51

@mediumbrownmug Thank you for your candour. I think I'll certainly look into therapy for myself now because I feel so very fragile. Hope you are ok with your own journey 💐

OP posts:
BankOfDave · 02/03/2023 23:24

OP you have so much going on, don’t know what to say. I read this yesterday, voted but didn’t post and came back to it today thinking of you.

I hope you find some resolution and honestly on a basic level just that you had a good day without too much stress ☕️

New posts on this thread. Refresh page