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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

A log for my survival and ultimate recovery.

74 replies

thisishowifeel · 10/08/2011 09:10

I first posted on here in 2008 as "Saddest" as I was distressed by the lack of sex life and general sense of invisiblity.

I went on to post about the things that happened with my family, drug aand alcohol abuse, gaslighting and scapegoating of me. I discovered all about personality disorders, something I was accused of having by my husband, mother and sisters.

I went to the doctors and saw the nurse practitioner, who told me that I was being abused. She put me in touch with women's aid.

Eventually, I got my h to leave and cut all contact with my family, got counselling, did the Freedom Programme and got Inner Child therapy.

My husband wanted a reconcilliation, I said that in order for that to even be on the cards he must embark on long term therapy and fully accept that his behaviour was abusive. Which he did.

He moved back in in September last year, and up until the end of May things were fine, in fact I had the best christmas of my life.

Then in May, he stated to slip back, rapidly, playing the children against one another, goldenchilding dd and scapegoating ds. Telling me utter nonsense, for example, that his therapist had told him that the Freedom Programme was extreme feminist nonsense....even though she herself ran one. That the therapist had said that I was the abuser, that I was a liar and a bully. I stood their and said quite calmly, "no she didn't, and we both know that you are lying". His behaviour deteriorated to the point where I asked him to leave the house again, once again, I said that he must see the GP and get a referral to MHS. I did this because of an email he had sent to me last year, which I showed my CBT counsellor.

The email outlined his childhood. A chaotic picture of drug addiction (Heroin) which killed his brother, alcoholis, incest and other abuse. His mother was extremely unstable and went missing regullarly. The counsellor asked if he had ever seen a psychiatrist, he hasn't.

He went for a MH assessment and is waiting for a referral.

But it's too late.

We had a trip to Spain booked, and we went. For the most part it was ok, with flashes of his abusive behaviour, which I handled calmly. But on the evening before we came home, he attacked my physically. He punched and kicked, gouged pieces out of my arm and even bit me. This was caused because I wanted to go for a "timeout" as the atmosphere was getting tense, and it was a tactic that had worked before.

He had my phone and refused to give it back, saying that he was going to call the police to come and "arrest me because I am mad". The children saw and heard everything. DD has reminded me of things too, he pushed me, called me an "evil fucking bitch". And then in the middle of it all, he hurled himself to the ground and made out that I was attcking him! I simply left, without my phone.

I went to the hotel reception to ask for a taxi, but didn't realise I was bleeding, and the hotel manager called the police and ambulance.

The police got my phone, passports and tickets and me and the dc's were taken to another hotel for the night.

When we got home, I went straight to the sugery, where the NP arranged for the police to come, as well as taking note of all my injuries. We have been referred to social services. Whilst I was at the surgery, he had unpacked and was behaving as though nothing had happened. He was shocked that I asked him to leave, and very angry. I stood firm and said that it was not safe for him to be near me.

That was a week ago today.

I have seen the social worker, had the fire people out and the safety people are coming today.

I want to log this here, as everything else is here, from the beginning.

Please hold my hand.

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thisishowifeel · 18/08/2011 12:44

I am trying so hard.

It's dd's birthday next friday, and he is sending endless texts about what presents to get etc. I am either not replying, or using one word answers, and then in a forlorn attempt to make it stop, reply with something substantial.

Because I am not engaging, he has just accused me of shutting down his email accounts. I'm afraid I did reply, and said, only insane people do things like that, or even think them up.

Can't get through to respect or WA. He's taking dd out this afternoon. will try again then.

I saw a friend yesterday, and seeing another tomorrow...those are the better days....these empty ones are hell, despite the bits of work coming in.

I KNOW all the stuff logically, in my head.

My marriage was ended for me in the space of ten minutes two weeks ago. That takes a bit of coming to terms with, but honestly, I am trying my very, very hardest.

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thisishowifeel · 18/08/2011 12:46

I wish I could be abducted by aliens today.

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ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 18/08/2011 13:09

(((hugs))) you are doing remarkably well in what must be a very difficult situation. You are struggling and succeeding to hold it together after your marriage was ripped apart by the irrational violence of your ex.

It must be really hard not to engage and I hope my previous comment didn't come over as suggesting you weren't trying hard enough - you clearly are. He obviously wants you to engage but remember you owe him nothing (absolutely nothing) he physically attacked you and has emotionally abused you for some time and he is in complete denial about his behaviour.

You can't fix him, you can't make him sort himself out. His behaviour means that you no longer have any responsibility for him or his feelings.

Take care of yourself and your kids, I am very proud of the way you have coped through such a tough time and I hope before too long you find yourself in a place where you can be proud of yourself too.

thisishowifeel · 18/08/2011 14:05

His psyche appointment has come through this morning.

I believe the involvement of SS speeded things up. Just as well. He's still the kids dad isn't he.

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garlicbutter · 18/08/2011 15:39

Glad he got a quick appointment. Are you actually hoping this will improve things for you and DC? I'm worried I might be hearing a tune you played about a year ago ...

thisishowifeel · 18/08/2011 17:14

I know Garlic, but he hadn't bitten me at that point, nor gouged bits out of my arm that will be a permanent reminder, nor kicked and punched in front of my kids. HIS kids too.And because of that, any improvement can only be good for them.

I spoke to Respect, and incredibly useful it was too. If he does a perpetrator programme....and it seems that that will not happen....I will know because I will be involved and have my own support worker.

I have decided that in order for my ring finger to feel a little less weird and reminding of the last ten years, that I would spend some money on a ring for me....to honour princess bluebell maybe, a saphire...a comittment to ME. Does that sound weird? To remind me that it is about getting to know me, what I want, who I like, what I like to do, who I am. Kind of marrying myself....that's what people from normal families learn to do when they are tiny isn't it?

Yes I am heartbroken, yes it was sudden, a shock. But something has shifted. I couldn't ever trust him to be IN my life again, can you imagine sleeping next to someone who has gouged bits of your body out....permanently?

I don't honestly think that I could. And I KNOW it will happen again and WILL be worse.

The chap from respect said....the choice is another eventual suicide attempt, continuing control and abuse or freedom. He was ace. He really played up the joy of not having to delete FB update emails and such.

It's only been two weeks. It will take a while. But I really don't think I could go back now.

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garlicbutter · 18/08/2011 17:23

Fantastic :) The Respect guy sounds just what you needed - well done for making the call!

Yes, I bought myself a ring, too - also sapphire. Got it from an antique shop in Farringdon (sold it at a car boot, but I didn't 'need' it by then.) Go for it. x

thisishowifeel · 18/08/2011 17:38

I have a fifty pound voucher for Hinds or some other chain...I shall use that too.

The Respect chap was sure that H just was in such deep denial, that there is no way in the world that he A) made the call in the first place. B) even if he did, simply didn't tell the truth. C) if he did tell even a bit of the truth they would not have told him what he said thay did.

I wrote in an email to a friend this morning, about my mother ringing him, that the chasm between where I have come from and where I am, just gets more enormous. Trouble is, I have no idea where I'm going.

My next challenge is to tell him to get another singer for a job he has. Toug to do in such a competitive world. But there it is.

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thisishowifeel · 18/08/2011 18:54

Did it.

Even suggested another girl session singer in the town where he is, to do the job.

Now that was tough. I've spent my entire adult life trying to be a session singer....believe me, it is tougher than a tough thing from tough world. I gave a gig away, because it was the right thing to do for me.

He knows that. That will be a mega message.

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garlicbutter · 18/08/2011 20:05

It so was the right thing to do. Well done, you :)

As you begin to feel more secure by yourself, other things will fall into place.

piranhamorgana · 18/08/2011 20:28

thisis,you are doing so well.

He does sound really unwell and dangerous to be around,so professional involvement will be good - for you,as protection and as evidence.

Your voice is stronger and clearer than a year ago.This is all going to be tougher than a tough thing from tough world ,and probably will be for a while yet.
But I think you've done the ground work over the past year.And sometimes that is the toughest bit of all.
The ring idea is lovely,and I bet dd will love it too.Maybe it will help her to make some sense of where things are for you all now,too.

You are a strong woman and you can do this.

notsorted · 18/08/2011 20:41

Glad you got through to Respect. I spoke to them a couple of times and found them a bit more forward looking than WA (plus there is not that feeling that you are taking the time that a woman in crisis now needs).
One person said we know better than anyone the kind of excuses abusers make and the ways they try to push the blame elsewhere. Man almost laughed when I told him that ex had said his probation officer had told him I was the one who needed help.
Love the idea of a ring - enjoy the choosing, browsing. This one is for you and it's going to last forever.
Re birthday, I guess you are buying your own present. Let him do his own thinking and pondering. If he's coming to the party send list of stuff to help with or simply tell him what time to turn up and what time it's over.

BreakFree · 18/08/2011 22:31

I have so much respect and admiration for you Thisis. Will YOU hold my hand and bring me with you? :)
Not sorted you have me craving chocolate and wine. Grr!

thisishowifeel · 19/08/2011 08:07

That was something that tore into my soul like nothing else. The way that other singers were always implicitly "Better" than me. The worst was when they all went to Abbey Rd, but not me...I mean Abbey Rd!!!! And I was left behind in the middle of nowhere, nothing, no one. It makes me fill up again now, but it was a couple of years ago.

I have so little confidence left. I have been awake since four this morning beginning to seethe. The girl I suggested do the job is one of those who he always compared me unfavourably to. I don't want to be in that world..it just hurts SOOOO much, all those little digs and snide remarks, they are better, prettier, have charisma, whatever. I don't want to know..I DON'T WANT TO KNOW! I can't exist on crumbs while everyone else gets the cake. I'm sick of it. I want cake too.

Yes PM I did a LOT of work last year. The inner child stuff was amazing. I have to say though that this place is remarkable. Knowlege is power isn't it? There is a truckload of knowledge on MN. Once you know all the stuff, and Respect told me even more yesterday, you can't not see what's happening.
They have put all the secuity measures in place on this house because he IS dangerous. They don't do that stuff for a laugh do they?

Yes Breakfree...please come and get some cake!

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thisishowifeel · 19/08/2011 08:11

The email I sent saying I wouldn't do the job ended with:

I do not have people in my life who hurt me.

And it is as simple as that.

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ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 19/08/2011 10:01

Thisis you have every right to have cake too. This time you get to choose the cake and the size of the slice not him.

I had a less than wonderful childhood (involving physical violence) and one of the things I had to work on was getting the abuser out of my head. I found that my thoughts had be so conditioned into "I'd better do or not do something because X will go off on one" that it took me quite a while to feel free to think my own thoughts and make my own choices. Its bloody scary, at first, doing things just simply because you want to but you do feel about 6 inches taller for doing it.

thisishowifeel · 20/08/2011 13:32

The silence is now deafening! But I know it won't last.

I was very low yesterday evening, despite a lovely day with a friend, and nightmare this morning, where the daily hairbrushing drama with dd ended up with us both in floods of tears.

Still can't get through to WA.

It is so painful, the pain in my tummy and chest are very, very real. I want to curl up and go to sleep and not wake up until my life is different. I'm so tired of hurting. Of crying, of being brave.

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TimeForMeIsFree · 20/08/2011 15:02

thisishowifeel would you be able to send WA an email asking them to contact you? They never failed to reply to me when I needed their help.

You may not think so at the moment but you really are doing incredibly well, stay strong x

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 20/08/2011 15:27

thisis if you need to offload to someone, think about phoning the Samaritans. I have rung them in the past and it was great to have a non-judgemental person to offload to without worrying about having ever having to face them again in real life.

thisishowifeel · 21/08/2011 15:48

Dropping off dd he starts on me, accusing me of telling the kids stuff....I haven't said anything much. Once again I scour my memory to check everything I've said to both children over the last two weeks.

Nope, Sure I didn't say what he accused me of.

I said...."here we go again.....I know fuck off"

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thisishowifeel · 21/08/2011 15:48

He cried....more manipulation. FUCK OFF!!!!!!!

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thisishowifeel · 22/08/2011 11:21

To Mummy,
I am so sad and this is what my heart looks like. My heart is so broken that sometimes I cannot breathe.

That is a letter that dd gave to me. There just are no words are there.

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TimeForMeIsFree · 22/08/2011 15:59
Sad
thisishowifeel · 23/08/2011 18:01

He is on a waiting list for a perpetrators programme. He has given me the phone number, so I can call them myself to verify.

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