Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

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:
softstone · 15/10/2025 13:33

Given everything you’ve said OP I doubt he has many more years left.

Needspaceforlego · 15/10/2025 13:41

RakshaUK · 15/10/2025 09:04

Very much a conscious decision. Unfortunately as the weight is coming off , the lump is getting larger 😞

Hey at least he is losing weight, consciously.
But loosing weight might have nothing to do with the lump getting bigger.

I honestly don't know why that documentary sticks in my mind so much, possibly it was grotesque. But I remember his was growing steadily.

Needspaceforlego · 15/10/2025 13:46

softstone · 15/10/2025 13:33

Given everything you’ve said OP I doubt he has many more years left.

As he is steadily loosing weight. He may well get down enough for the operation and get his life back.

Ops not hit retirement 65, and hes younger than her.

But he needs to be making an effort with hygiene

RakshaUK · 15/10/2025 16:05

Needspaceforlego · 15/10/2025 13:46

As he is steadily loosing weight. He may well get down enough for the operation and get his life back.

Ops not hit retirement 65, and hes younger than her.

But he needs to be making an effort with hygiene

I am 65, don't get my Government pension until next year when I'm 66. He's 64 and gets his in 2027.

OP posts:
GirlonaCloud · 15/10/2025 17:22

RakshaUK · 15/10/2025 16:05

I am 65, don't get my Government pension until next year when I'm 66. He's 64 and gets his in 2027.

The age gap is nothing. When you said he was younger I assumed it was significant , like 10 years or so.

Are you sure you get your pension at 66? I'd have thought 67 for someone your age.

Kendodd · 15/10/2025 19:42

softstone · 15/10/2025 13:33

Given everything you’ve said OP I doubt he has many more years left.

I disagree and think he could easily have another 20+ years.

Needspaceforlego · 15/10/2025 21:56

His lifespan is very much going to depend on weight loss and getting the surgery.

Being effectively housebound will make it impossible to get enough exercise to keep his body healthy.

Op the more you write, the more I don't know what you should do. To start with I was thinking, sit it out until he goes.

But I'm thinking with the weight loss and potentially getting surgery he could last a long time.

If he lasts a long time and regains fitness, will he still be a slop who doesn't wash his hands, ans won't pull his weight around the house,,dropping litter where he feels like it.

Would you want to live with that?

I hope you get councilling and it might also be worth speaking with womans aid,, because I think he is being abusive to you in a different sort of way, maybe not physical but emotionally, and controlling.

NimbleDreamer · 16/10/2025 09:09

Needspaceforlego · 14/10/2025 16:20

Op how did he manage in hospital?
We he peeing all over the ward?

Your house must stink, if hes dribbling urine everywhere.

It doesn't even bear thinking about. Pissing everywhere and leaving shit smears all over the place. I would have left years ago.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page