I lost my temper with DH

[Autumn12]

I have recently found out that my Dads cancer has returned and we are waiting on test results to find out whether it has spread. The results are due any day and I've told DH that I'm very nervous as we don't anticipate good news.

My dad has a family from an earlier relationship who hold resentment towards me for being in his life and refuse to acknowledge me. Earlier this evening DH took it upon himself to start giving me what he termed "friendly advice" over how I should handle these people going forward. It basically consisted of telling me that I need to be more forceful in confronting my dad over their behaviour, something which for several reasons I am unwilling to do. The conversation upset me and I made it clear to DH that I did not welcome what I perceived as his criticism of how I'm handling the situation and that I did not want to talk about it anymore. This was all said in a nice enough way and we both moved into another subject with no hard feelings.

Shortly after DH decided to start asking questions about a free event that I am getting him into via my line of work. With it being a free event and somewhat of a perk I have not been able to confirm when he will be able to go. It's narrowed down to 2 dates and I've always made it clear that I wouldn't know until the last minute when he could go. Other relatives of mine are also going and accept that they need to be on standby to go on either of the dates I have given. My DH has decided that he isn't happy to not know what is going on and would not stop going on at me about it. I've told him the situation many times but for some reason he seemed to expect me to give more concrete details. When I said several times that I was unable to confirm he started getting shirty about being left hanging etc. I've no idea why he is making an issue of this and I told him so. I also told him that with what I'm going through with
My dad I really don't care about this event and frankly I couldn't give a toss when people go. He took umbrage at this ( he seems to think he is doing me the favour by going ) and started having a bit of a go at me. To my dismay I began crying (all of this whilst walking home together) and ended up shouting at him that I wish it was him with cancer and not my dad.

I'm utterly ashamed at having said it and of course I don't mean it. But I'm very stressed by the situation and I really don't need my DH giving me shit over this bloody event, which incidentally I will not even be in the country for. I have since tried to apologise to my DH but he won't have it and will not speak to me.

Am I being unreasonable or is he bring an arse?

[Teeb]

I'm sorry you're in this position op, it sounds like you have a lot going on right now and what you need is support and kindness from those nearest to you. At the same time though, you have to be aware that you need to give support and kindness yourself, and I imagine what you said to your husband will linger in the memory for an awfully long time.

[Wilding]

^ wot she said

"He likes to have "discussions" about things that are bothering him when I'm trying to get ready for work for example. Or in public where it's embarrassing because people may hear."

Big red flags there.

[Wilding]

(that was pointing at SGB btw - thread moving too quickly!)

[Jux]

Oh FFS people. She didn't mean it and he bloody well knows it, but he is using it as an excuse to avoid looking at his own behaviour.

He's been bashing like a spoilt toddler for hours and hours - all fucking evening. Finally op snaps and behaves like a toddler too. Then she immediately pulls herself up and behaves like an adult.

He is milking it. He has been milking everything all along.

[Teeb]

Sorry Jux, but you know this how? From what the op (the woman who wished her husband had cancer) said?

[BelieveInPink]

Hmm. You didn't say he was a dick, then apologise for saying it. You wished a deadly disease on him.

I'd be doing more than sulking and it says a lot about deeper feelings.

[woolyscarf]

sending )big hug( about the cancer and your dad. My DH always wants to know the 'far end of a feather ' as far as facts on anything goes (I still love him and its now a bit of a joke) and sometimes I feel as if I'm telling him too much and expect him to have some knowledge or remember what I've said. If he's one of those that like to have all the facts and figures and has got this way of thinking he may genuinely just have wanted to help. Yes, he's being an arse. Yes, you should n't have said what you said. Yes, it'll take a lot of forgiveness on both sides ... but if you're both in it for the long haul you need to get over this hurdle!

[AgentZigzag]

It was a bit more than just saying 'drop dead', it's along similar lines to the offence I'd take at someone, who instead of saying a general 'I'm going to kill you!', said 'I'm going to cut the tendons at the backs of your feet so you can't run, and take a blow torch to your face after pulling your fingernails out one by one - whilst making your family sit there and watch'.

Him going on at the OP doesn't excuse or equal her saying she wishes he was the one who had the threat of a possibly painful and lingering death hanging over him, rather than her dad.

I don't think she meant it literally either, but she can't expect him to just brush it off.

[mutny]

Oh ffs. We all say htings in rage. He was being an arse and should make up for it by understanding you didn't really mean it.

I have never wished cancer on someone, or in fact told someone to drop dead. Its not a normal thing to say.

[Hullygully]

Well I can imagine it. The convo is going on and on about cancer/the event etc etc and in the end it becomes bloody hell I wish you were the one etc.

Perhaps some are more sainted than others, but i can imagine it only too well.

[solidgoldbrass]

I love the way everyone's going waah, blaaah, she said a nasty thing and completely ignoring the fact that she only said it because she had repeatedly asked him to stop nagging and bullying her, when she was upset and crying, and he carried on and on.

Women, know your place: if a man is telling you off and ordering you to do something, don't answer back, just accept his superiority and obey. Otherwise you are the villain of the piece.

[Jux]

OP, are you OK? Are you in a position to talk with your dh about what has happened reasonably now? Have things calmed down? Did he apologise to you for his part in it?

[Autumn12]

I'm ok, Thanks for asking.

We haven't really had a chance to talk. I did email him to apologise again yesterday and he said that he didn't want to dwell on it and for us to just move on. He went out after work last night and we sort of avoided each other when he got in (I didn't feel that talking to him after he'd had a couple of pints would do any good).

We did have a bit of a chat this morning and he is being very affectionate towards me, so I think that he does feel bad about his behaviour. I don't think what I said is going to cause any lasting damage to our relationship.

Thanks for all of the advice and replies.

[AgentZigzag]

That's good Autumn, glad it's getting back to normal

[mutny]

really sgb you do go over the top. I don't think anyone as completely ignored what a cock he was.

I love how, on mn, if you don't indulge in the OPs behaviour you must be 'sainted'. Its almost as though people can not have their own view of what is and what is mot acceptable.

Op I am glad hr is being more affectionate and that you can and want to get past this. Good luck for the future.