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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:
GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 08:20

Horserider5678 · 12/10/2025 07:31

Probably because he’s not medically fit for an anaesthetic by the sounds of it! I’m also guessing he’s got a depressive illness!

If that was the reason, he and the OP would know.

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 08:22

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.

So you need to make an appt with your GP and tell them firmly that you cannot carry on as you are.

Make it clear. Don't leave until they start making a call or putting something in place.

TessSaysYes · 12/10/2025 08:29

So the question is can you leave. Who owns the house? is it social housing? He sounds like he's stuck where he is. Can you leave?

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 08:31

Op be honest you say he has a pannus, which sounds like its caused by being obese. The lump and mobility issues.

Summing up he sounds like a fat slob?

Do you think he will last much longer?
It sounds like hes a heartattack waiting to happen.
I assume you're the beneficiary in his will.

I think you need to ask for a better care package for him. I don't think its reasonable that you need to take him to the toilet.

Have you managed to get any respite care?

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 08:32

You need to divorce him.

That way you will get 50% of your assets, you can buy your own home and take your dogs and cats with you.

Your other option is to stay where you are till he dies.

Sorry to be so harsh but even if he has surgery it sounds as if you will still be his carer.

Orangepate · 12/10/2025 08:33

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 08:31

Op be honest you say he has a pannus, which sounds like its caused by being obese. The lump and mobility issues.

Summing up he sounds like a fat slob?

Do you think he will last much longer?
It sounds like hes a heartattack waiting to happen.
I assume you're the beneficiary in his will.

I think you need to ask for a better care package for him. I don't think its reasonable that you need to take him to the toilet.

Have you managed to get any respite care?

Edited

Well this is refreshingly blunt.

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 08:33

TessSaysYes · 12/10/2025 08:29

So the question is can you leave. Who owns the house? is it social housing? He sounds like he's stuck where he is. Can you leave?

OP has answered that question- they both own the house.

GirlonaCloud · 12/10/2025 08:34

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 08:31

Op be honest you say he has a pannus, which sounds like its caused by being obese. The lump and mobility issues.

Summing up he sounds like a fat slob?

Do you think he will last much longer?
It sounds like hes a heartattack waiting to happen.
I assume you're the beneficiary in his will.

I think you need to ask for a better care package for him. I don't think its reasonable that you need to take him to the toilet.

Have you managed to get any respite care?

Edited

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!

Are we talking about loose skin after losing 5 stone?
And he is no longer overweight- or is he?

Has he got a pannus and lipoma?

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 08:37

Orangepate · 12/10/2025 08:33

Well this is refreshingly blunt.

I Googled pannus. I'd no clue what it was.

The Op also has mobility issues. The bungalow sounds ideal for her.

I'm not suggesting bumping him off. But is it worth hanging around until nature takes its course? 😬

Glitchymn1 · 12/10/2025 08:43

He leaves shitty finger prints every where… I’m out.
His illnesses sound horrendous and I imagine he’s depressed. (Probably you are too). But this is disgusting and I couldn’t live with it. Divorce, get your half and move, downsize, take your pets.
I’m so sorry you are going through this.

Glitchymn1 · 12/10/2025 08:45

If you have to stay/want to- get a better care package in place.

HairyToity · 12/10/2025 08:46

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 08:37

I Googled pannus. I'd no clue what it was.

The Op also has mobility issues. The bungalow sounds ideal for her.

I'm not suggesting bumping him off. But is it worth hanging around until nature takes its course? 😬

This crossed my mind too! OP should outlive him, but how to make living bearable till he shuffles off his mortal coil.

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 08:47

HairyToity · 12/10/2025 08:46

This crossed my mind too! OP should outlive him, but how to make living bearable till he shuffles off his mortal coil.

Glad I'm not the only person thinking that way.

curiouslycautious · 12/10/2025 08:49

Oh blimey OP, this sounds awful. Being a carer is really hard work but caring for someone who CAN make an effort but who chooses not to, is just awful. He won’t shower, won’t wash his hands and lives in filth to the point that rats have got in? This is way beyond anything anyone can bear.

Do you have a social worker? As someone who has mobility issues yourself (and is a carer plus getting older), why not talk to adult social services and explain the situation? Your living situation sounds unsanitary and unsafe and they might be able to make some recommendations. It’s probably complicated by you jointly owning a house but please don’t give up. This is no way to live and is certainly not something you should put up with! As an interim, I’d definitely be looking to move into the cabin and telling the partner you’re offering no more help until he starts doing what he can for himself - and first on that list is allowing the carers to shower him!

Ponoka7 · 12/10/2025 08:51

My DP and a neighbour's DH went into hospital at the same time. Both have complex health issues. We were a support system to each other in the early months. Her DH was similar to yours in that his toilet habits could have been better, he saw her as his service animal. She started to say she wanted to run away. She died months later, literally worn out. He's suddenly able to keep himself clean and get to the pub, with minimal support. He has carers going in twice a day, but he doesn't piss all over the place like he used to when she was there to clean it up. He now uses a bin/tray to eat off/shuffles his dishes into the kitchen etc because he has to pay for his care, so now does what he can for himself. It gave me a wake up call. I went, without him, on holiday, which made my DP grateful for me. We've gone into shared ownership apartments and he's doing his best and appreciates me.
Unfortunately you'll have to put some work in initially. Get pestering people, tell the GP about the physical and mental pressure you are under, daily, if you have to. Has he had a MH assessment? I'd be blunt with him, he's putting you at risk with his lack of hygiene, he must be mentally ill to live like that, you need to take steps to seperate, because he needs help and they won't give it while you are seen as available. Some posters might think it harsh about him not living long, but previously, people didn't live with the conditions of today, men in particular, died. The care burden is too much.

BlueandPinkSwan · 12/10/2025 08:54

I left with the dogs years ago because I only have one life. Easy to say from behing a key board I know, but I would be in danger of smothering this person with his own shit and his lazy filthy ways I really would.

Needspaceforlego · 12/10/2025 08:57

@RakshaUK if you were to go on holiday for a couple of weeks how would he manage?
Getting to the toilet, getting food delivery, etc

Maybe thats the wake up call he needs.
Get yourself booked into an all-inclusive hotel get pampered.

Sickleg · 12/10/2025 09:05

A bit of a tangent but why were you only recently diagnosed ND , what prompted you to get tested , did you go private or NHS?

He needs to pay for carers and cleaners . You can’t be expected to do all that. That will eat into your joint finances . So I think you may need to get on asap to force a sale. So your half of assets is protected. Laws are changing a bit to allow pets I think, if you do need to rent short term after sale. But try to line up a place to buy.

Phobiaphobic · 12/10/2025 09:10

Divorce.

NimbleDreamer · 12/10/2025 09:15

He purposely doesn't wash his hands after going to the toilet and leaves shitty fingerprints all over the house?! Nah I'd be gone yesterday. Leave, sell the house, he'll have to go into sheltered accomodation or something but it wouldn't be my problem. You can board your animals while you're getting yourself sorted with a new place. That's what my dad did when he split up with his partner. I would not put up with this for one more second.

AC246 · 12/10/2025 09:15

You poor woman.

LemonJellyLegs · 12/10/2025 09:20

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, put him down there. Why should you go?

Calendulaaria · 12/10/2025 09:23

I couldn't handle the shitty fingerprints, No, not at all.

LemonJellyLegs · 12/10/2025 09:29

MooDengOfThailand · 12/10/2025 05:26

Youre not even married to him.
I would leave.

But how can she just leave? They both own the house. Where would she go and how would she pay??
Please give the solution

NewHat · 12/10/2025 09:34

LemonJellyLegs · 12/10/2025 09:29

But how can she just leave? They both own the house. Where would she go and how would she pay??
Please give the solution

You move in to a rental, there’s plenty that take animals or you move in with a family member or a friend in the short term. If she was my friend or family member I would have been waiting and hoping she would reach this point and I’d have her in my home as quick as a flash.

Then you force the sale of the house and use the money to start again.

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