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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:
Mollydoggerson · 12/10/2025 17:00

I ld advocate for all the surgeries he needs. His heart must be so weak, the surgery and meds would probably mean he needs to go to residential care.

GreySkiesAndBirds · 12/10/2025 17:20

You sound exhausted OP. I dont have anything to add that other PP haven't said, re get support in place, and just stop doing all this care for him. I hope you can stay in your home but stop wearing yourself out caring for someone that makes no effort to help himself and seems so ungrateful.

C152 · 12/10/2025 17:37

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 16:41

Why do you need a ramp for an ambulance? He's not going anywhere from what you've said.
Paramedics can access a house without ramp.

Presumably there's a step (or more than one) up to the front door which makes it either difficult or impossible to get an ambulance trolley there. An overweight, immobile adult man with multiple health conditions will no doubt need hospital transport in non emergency cases and potentially an ambulance in other situations. There's only so much weight poor paramedics can be expected to carry.

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 18:10

Op I do think it would be beneficial to have wills made.
I question how long he is going to last with multiple complex health conditions.

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 18:16

C152 · 12/10/2025 17:37

Presumably there's a step (or more than one) up to the front door which makes it either difficult or impossible to get an ambulance trolley there. An overweight, immobile adult man with multiple health conditions will no doubt need hospital transport in non emergency cases and potentially an ambulance in other situations. There's only so much weight poor paramedics can be expected to carry.

They can use a portable ramp if necessary. They use portable ramps for people with wheelchairs to get in and out of trains.

How do you think they manage if they have to bring a deceased person out of a house with no ramp? They use a trolley that they can carry into the house.

WatchingTheDetective · 12/10/2025 18:58

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.

No that's not a good idea at all. Why should you be in the cabin?

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 19:04

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 18:16

They can use a portable ramp if necessary. They use portable ramps for people with wheelchairs to get in and out of trains.

How do you think they manage if they have to bring a deceased person out of a house with no ramp? They use a trolley that they can carry into the house.

Edited

There have been cases where the fire brigades have been called to help move people.

A portable ramp will only work for a few steps but any house with 4 or 5 steps probably can't use a mobile ramp, the gradient becomes too steep.

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 19:30

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 19:04

There have been cases where the fire brigades have been called to help move people.

A portable ramp will only work for a few steps but any house with 4 or 5 steps probably can't use a mobile ramp, the gradient becomes too steep.

@Needspaceforlego The OP lives in a bungalow.

It's possible but not likely that it has several steps to the front door.

AllieCat5 · 12/10/2025 19:44

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.

Perhaps short term but life in a cabin in winter won’t be fun. Plus you’d still be on site and get roped in. I haven’t read much of the thread yet but you need to get social services involved. I’m disabled after a near-fatal car crash but do all I can to stay mobile and have lost 9st despite not being able to exercise. His lack of hygiene disgusts me. I understand not wanting to lose the pets but you’re in danger of losing yourself and your mental and physical health. Start planning your escape. Please.

RakshaUK · 12/10/2025 19:58

C152 · 12/10/2025 17:37

Presumably there's a step (or more than one) up to the front door which makes it either difficult or impossible to get an ambulance trolley there. An overweight, immobile adult man with multiple health conditions will no doubt need hospital transport in non emergency cases and potentially an ambulance in other situations. There's only so much weight poor paramedics can be expected to carry.

Exactly this, sorry I didn't make it clear. Currently he can just about get outside the front door and on to the trolley, but there may come a time when he can't do even that. I just hope the work is done before then.

OP posts:
maryberrysbaconbible · 12/10/2025 20:57

Carers have rights. One of those rights is to not be a carer.

Email adult services and say you are no longer able or willing to provide personal care or indeed any care at all.

Don't ask for help for yourself - it's not for you.

They have a statutory duty to act.

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 21:06

Op can you ask for respite?

bluevalley · 12/10/2025 21:19

So WHY WONT HE DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

Really pointless question. I gather from further posts you were just venting. You have known for at least 15 years and longer exactly what he is like. He has brought on 98% of his problems himself, and you have enabled him somehow. This won't change. It sounds a revolting way to live a life.

Just your thread title reminded me of what I do not want, so thank you for that! The thought of being some old guy's nurse is deeply unappealing, but this man nad his habits are repulsive. I really hope you find some more support.

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 21:46

RakshaUK · 12/10/2025 19:58

Exactly this, sorry I didn't make it clear. Currently he can just about get outside the front door and on to the trolley, but there may come a time when he can't do even that. I just hope the work is done before then.

@RakshaUK Paramedics or undertakers move living and deceased people of all sizes out of their homes on a trolley. The trolley has wheels and it can be rolled over a step.If he can't get onto a trolley they could use a wheelchair- no?

Your previous posts said he had lost 5 stone and was now about to try to lose more. How much does he weigh?

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 21:50

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

This is a question for you to answer.

Do you regret it?
Not regret it?

It's not a case of being reasonable or unreeasonable.

It's something you can change, if you want to.

Needspaceforlego · 13/10/2025 00:28

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 21:46

@RakshaUK Paramedics or undertakers move living and deceased people of all sizes out of their homes on a trolley. The trolley has wheels and it can be rolled over a step.If he can't get onto a trolley they could use a wheelchair- no?

Your previous posts said he had lost 5 stone and was now about to try to lose more. How much does he weigh?

Edited

If Ops concerned that paramedics won't be able to get him out the door, and mentions needing a bigger door and ramp, that tells you all you need to know about his size.

GirlonaCloud · 13/10/2025 07:42

Needspaceforlego · 13/10/2025 00:28

If Ops concerned that paramedics won't be able to get him out the door, and mentions needing a bigger door and ramp, that tells you all you need to know about his size.

Maybe.

I still can't understand why this situation has persisted for so long.
OP hasn't given any credible reason why he's not had surgery - maybe she's not been given one- but the entire situation is appalling.

I assume he's diabetic as he's got leg ulcers that need dressing.

The nurses who come to see to him should be talking to his GP and pushing treatment along.

GirlonaCloud · 13/10/2025 08:04

@RakshaUK IF your partner is so overweight that he needs the door widening, why is he not being offered weight loss injections?

Is he doing anything for himself, in terms of his health, or is he also mentally unwell and just waiting to become worse and worse.

Does his GP never call or check up on him?

Needspaceforlego · 13/10/2025 08:10

From what she's written, I don't think the surgeons want to take the risk of operating.

He has had ulcers for at least 15 years, that haven't healed, he is obese, his hygiene standards aren't great.

Whats the chances of him surviving the anaesthetic, and then looking after the wounds, which will be difficult with his belly getting in the way.

GirlonaCloud · 13/10/2025 08:36

Needspaceforlego · 13/10/2025 08:10

From what she's written, I don't think the surgeons want to take the risk of operating.

He has had ulcers for at least 15 years, that haven't healed, he is obese, his hygiene standards aren't great.

Whats the chances of him surviving the anaesthetic, and then looking after the wounds, which will be difficult with his belly getting in the way.

But unless that is explained to him and her, we don't know.

Why on earth is he not a candidate for weight loss injections?

If, as it appears, he has no interest in improving his health, and is simply waiting to die, then OP has to decide if she stays and watches this happen or leaves. He's clearly got mental health issues as well.

I think that's where she came in, with her first post.

isthismylifenow · 13/10/2025 08:39

GirlonaCloud · 13/10/2025 08:04

@RakshaUK IF your partner is so overweight that he needs the door widening, why is he not being offered weight loss injections?

Is he doing anything for himself, in terms of his health, or is he also mentally unwell and just waiting to become worse and worse.

Does his GP never call or check up on him?

It doesn't sound like he is taking any responsibility for his own health, so what are the chances he would even use the injections correctly.

The GP probably knows that would just be a wasteful prescription.

Needspaceforlego · 13/10/2025 08:48

Who knows why he hasn't been given weight loss injections.

Is he capable of using them correctly, with appropriate hygiene, washing his hands first, disposing of them properly?

I think theres a catch 22 going on, MH issues caused by weight, can't deal with weight because of MH issues.

ViciousCurrentBun · 13/10/2025 09:03

The risk will be too great to operate plus with what the poster has written he wouldn’t take care of himself if he did survive surgery.

You either wait it out and hope he dies soon or you see a solicitor and see if a sale can be forced.

RakshaUK · 13/10/2025 09:24

GirlonaCloud · 13/10/2025 07:42

Maybe.

I still can't understand why this situation has persisted for so long.
OP hasn't given any credible reason why he's not had surgery - maybe she's not been given one- but the entire situation is appalling.

I assume he's diabetic as he's got leg ulcers that need dressing.

The nurses who come to see to him should be talking to his GP and pushing treatment along.

That's the strange thing. He is NOT diabetic. I have type 2, but they check his blood sugars regularly. Indeed on Sunday it was checked and it was 6!
The leg ulcers started after he had flu and spent all day on the sofa...
That was back in 2004 and they've never healed despite continuous dressing on a weekly basis and compression. I know if he was more active they would heal, but he won't exercise...

OP posts:
RakshaUK · 13/10/2025 09:27

Needspaceforlego · 13/10/2025 08:48

Who knows why he hasn't been given weight loss injections.

Is he capable of using them correctly, with appropriate hygiene, washing his hands first, disposing of them properly?

I think theres a catch 22 going on, MH issues caused by weight, can't deal with weight because of MH issues.

He is on the waiting list at the surgery for them, but I agree with you, it will probably be something else I'll be expected to administer.

OP posts:
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