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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

Marriage ended after 27 years. This is "My Death".

874 replies

mrsmciver · 12/05/2013 12:43

My husband left 4 weeks ago after I found some dubious e-mails to another woman he works with. I have posted about this on another thread, but still need the support from all you lovely ladies out there.
I asked him to go to his mum's after I went mad screaming and shouting and both of us crying. He went to his mum's, then round to my parents explaining himself and accepting all the blame.
I still let him in the house later that night and we both sat talking and crying about how we would get over this, then he collected some things and went back to his mothers.
I phoned him the next morning demanding the ow mob number but he would not give it to me as he said i would jeapardise his job if she went to his boss. We were both still crying and he asked what to get for his breakfast as his mum only has fried food and he likes to keep fit and eat well so he went to shop to buy that and washing powder for his clothes.
He also came up later that afternoon and we both talked some more. He said he had been very flattered by the attentions of this high powered business woman and had got carried away, swore there was nothing physical.
He told me he would give me her mob number once I had calmed down and to be careful what to say to her as it would cost him his job. he said he would give it to me the next morning whilst on the train as he was away for a few days on a business meeting.
Next morning he phoned and gave me her number, I put it in the drawer as after all the trauma I could not face calling her, was in no state to do so. later that evening after another sleepless night, he phoned sounding like his normal self, and I told him I had not contacted her, but he probably knew that as she would have phoned him if I had.
I then asked him when he was coming home and he said he wasn't. he said it was so out of character for him to do that and that the blinkers had been taken off his eyes and that he must have been very unhappy to have done it in the first place.
I got very upset, begged him to come home, but he won't. He is staying at his mum's. I ended up in hospital after trying to end it all. Can't imagine life without him. And now he wants to settle all our financial affairs and divorce. Am distraught. We have two daughters, one is sitting her Higher exams right now and the other is expecting a baby. They have been so wonderful, they are so strong, told me I am better without him. He had been treating me badly weeks before and I knew something was "off", that was why I had looked at his phone.
He has said he can't forgive me for looking at his phone and have now destroyed all trust. And that I would make his life hell as I would now be paranoid and forever questioning what he is doing.
He says he has no energy left, nothing to give, and that my health problems have drained him. I have anxiety and stress. But it is not as if he was a carer, I did most things for him! He doesn't know what he wants, but he knows he does not want "this.
I am devastated, cannot do this anymore. Have been a mess, shaking stuttering, he was over Frid night and said he is never coming back and that we will be divorcing.
How do I do this? How can I live without him? We have been married for 27 years, ever since we were 15 years old.
I always had a feeling I would die early, in my forties, and this is it, this is "my death", I will never get over this. It is getting worse.

OP posts:
skyeskyeskye · 11/06/2013 17:55

The Reiki made me cry my eyes out. It was weird, totally out of my control, just lying there trying to relax and thing of anything but XH and as she worked her hands over me and on me, I would just cry uncontrollably! then stop for a bit, then start again when she reached another bit of me. The head and the heart made me cry the most......

I have got another session next week and looking forward to it.

Your heart is broken, but it will heal in time. I no longer want my XH back but it has taken 12 months to get to that point, where I now know catagorically that if he walked in the door begging me, that I would not take him back. Part of me still wishes that none of this ever happened, which is a different thing.

You are not broken, only temporarily out of order....

and you are so strong, you are stronger than you know and you will be so much stronger when you get through this.

and you will get angry again. It is a rollercoaster of emotions and it will get easier at some point.

I cried so many tears for my XH that I thought that I would never stop. and he didn't deserve a single one of them. Your X doesn't deserve them either.

Alwayskeptalidon · 11/06/2013 18:04

MrsM, you will get through this. Your girls need you. You will come through this a stronger person and realise that you can survive anything.
Life is a gift. Treat it as such.
You H has chosen another path. Let him go.
I know it is not easy, I have been through a fair amount of shit myself,but I am still here and I want to LIVE my life as best I can.

mrsmciver · 11/06/2013 19:14

Yep Reiki made me cry a lot. Deep heaving sobs when she was over my head and heart too. I am going back on Friday for another session. Am sick in my head and heart, wish there was a pill for heartbreak.

If I come through this, which I am doubting, then I will be unbreakable. There is nothing I am scared of now, but am not sure if that is because I have a death wish? Couldn't care less whether I live or die to be honest.
My girls are getting so frustrated with me, can't blame them either. I was doing ok, but I was angry I think, and am better when I am angry, and now I am totally regressing. Have the shakes and stutters back. I am sick with it.

I will go to bed early tonight and take my meds, GP has doubled the dose. Hope to God this works. xxx
Not yet, in a while.

OP posts:
roundtoit · 11/06/2013 19:18

That man is a 1st class s##t, he does not deserve you or your girls. Please please you have to try and at least put on a brave face for your girls, they see you bereft and they must worry themselves sick about you .
Your poor girl at school must worry about you, and the older one should be enjoying her pregnancy and imminent arrival of your darling grand daughter but she must be so worried about you too. You have to try and let them know that you are ok.

roundtoit · 11/06/2013 19:22

you say you do not care if you live or die, can you imagine how your girls would feel if they knew this, it seems to me you are putting him 1st and your girls 2nd. He needs to be dumped on the scrap heap and never thought of again. look what he has done to you.

mrsmciver · 11/06/2013 19:25

Skye, I meant to say, did you see the lovely colours when you were having Reiki? My healer said some people see them and some don't, and I was sceptical to be honest and thought I won't because when I shut my eyes I don't see any colours at all! But I did! Lots of green and pink around my heart area and I didn't know she was there as I was telling her throughout just very quietly what colours I was seeing, and I had my eyes closed the whole time. And she told me that pink and green is the Heart Chakra. I also saw lots of purple, loads of purple, and she said that is a very spiritual colour and that it was being sent from heaven for me. It was really lovely and I also got a message from the Angels for me. Yep I know what this sounds like, Hmm, but it was so calming and comforting at the time. I would love for it to be real and true.
I would like to think someone up there knows it will all be ok. Divine Intervention is needed. xxx

OP posts:
itwillgetbettersoon · 11/06/2013 19:31

Mrs m, a year ago I was in the same situation as you and Skye. My husband had an affair. I begged him to stay. I am in my late 40s with two young children. My wonderful mum died years ago. I thought I was dying. I had been with him for 20 years.

I forced myself to go to work. I sobbed at work at my desk. My colleagues left me alone - best thing!

I'm still here a year later. I've not sorted anything out yet (not recommended but I will do when I am ready). Today I would say I am happy. My children are happy. We do lots of things together and I have created new memories. Life is previous. My lovely mum was taken away far too early - she wouldn't want me wasting my life crying over a selfish coward. Please be positive. You have lovely children, a GC soon and parents. You will get there but it does take time no doubt about that. It is a rollercoaster but the bumps are less frequent now. I try lots of new things now and I have fun with my children. The selfish git sees his children twice a week for ten hours in total - prat!

Lots of hugs to you. Xx

mrsmciver · 11/06/2013 19:33

round. You are so very right. I know it deep down. I do. I have known him for over thirty years, cannot just switch it off like that.

Hmm, you have made me think. Yes, I have been putting him first haven't I? Probably always did put his needs and wants first.

Just not sure how I can live without him, and I sincerely mean that. Will not tell him that though. Much as I am bereft, I am not letting on to him at all now about how I feel, have not spoken to him for 3-4 weeks now.

OP posts:
mrsmciver · 11/06/2013 19:44

it will. Oh I am so sorry!
I must sound like a pathetic moaning loser and you had 2 young children and having to go to your work too. That is not easy.
Thank you for taking the time to post and to let me know that you have got through the worst of it.
I wish I had a job to go to. I used to when I was able. I think I wouldn't wallow as much. i would have a focus, something to get up in the morning for, a routine as such.

OP posts:
skyeskyeskye · 11/06/2013 19:46

MrsM - your girls need you and I know that you are going through hell, but Round is right. You need to put them before him. I know, believe me, I know, how hard it is for you and can only talk to you like this because I have come through it, against all my fears, against everything.

I have survived it. I will continue to survive it. You will survive it too.

it would break your girls hearts if anything happened to you. Think about it, what would they be left with? A useless Twunt! I don't want to upset you, but it concerns me to hear you talk like that. Your girls would be heartbroken if you were not here.

The angels are watching over you and they will help you through it. You have to go through it, there is no avoiding it, as much as you would like to.

I used to have spiritual healing many years ago and she always talked about the guardian angels watching over me and guiding me. She always knew things that she had no way of knowing.

BitOutOfPractice · 11/06/2013 19:56

Mrs McI god your description of that deep, wracking, aching pain has brought back so many memories for me. It's just excrutiating and my heart truly goes out to you. It really does. This time last year my life was happy and calm. By the end of July it had all crashed down and was experiencing that terible pain you describe

I too went through that loop of missing him. Of not believing it of him. Of wanting to see the best in him. Until he finally did something that made the scales fall from my eyes.

Once again I fell into that pit of despair. I forgot to eat or sleep and even had to be reminded to breathe. I was a wreck. An utter wreck.

But this time, when I stared to climb up from that hole, I continued climbing. Past him. Past the pain. Past the despiar.

I still cry now occasionally. I still wistfully miss the man I loved.

But I have moved on and up and up and up and I am a stronger woman now. A stronger human being. I know now that if I can get through that, I can get through anything. and I will survive anything.

And you will too. You will look back at yourself now and be amazed. And finally realise that all the things the women here told you were true. And you will be OK. I promise.

Keep going. And remember. It will be OK in the end. If it's not OK it's not the end yet xx

mrsmciver · 11/06/2013 20:21

Bit, You made me cry, your pain, I know of it. When it is hard to breathe, every minute is an hour, every hour a day, every day a week to get through. When you keep looking at the clock, willing it to be time to go to bed, to take your tablets to knock you out. But the bedroom is also the worst room in the house. The grief I have felt in there....
xxx

OP posts:
Minstrelsaremarvellous · 11/06/2013 20:27

Keep going Mrsc....... It gets better. You will discover the most wonderful inner strength and a new found pride in yourself. But it takes time. Give it time. Listen to these amazing women. I've been there too. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and when you're ready to look up, you'll notice how far you've travelled!

itwillgetbettersoon · 11/06/2013 20:45

You can do it mrsm. You are a better person than him.

Can you change the bedrooms round and sleep in a different room if it hurts sleeping in the main bedroom?

My local charity shop had a poster up today asking for volunteers to help in the shop. I bet you have some really good skills that you could put to use volunteering. This would get you out of the house and mix with much nicer people.

You are doing so well. I felt that my stomach had been tied in a knot. For weeks I couldn't eat even chocolate biscuits! My friends and work colleagues would nag me to eat but I couldn't. Then one day I felt like eating.

These men are so.bloody selfish. They are cowards. You are so much better off without him. You will be happy. Hugs to you. Have a lovely sleep tonight. X

BitOutOfPractice · 12/06/2013 11:01

Oh no. I'm sorry I made you cry :( that was not my intention.

I just wanted to say that I know your pain. and even though you don't believe it now, it will get better. It will. It has to. And it will. It's hard for you to believe that now but I promise you it will

Keep going lovely - you're doing so well and we are all behind you xxxxx

mrsmciver · 12/06/2013 18:04

Bit, it wasn't that type of a cry, so please do not worry. I recognised that pain in myself, not being able to breathe because of it. Every second is unbearable. I am here because of my girls. If I did anything then they would be left with exh and that is not good, he would be far too hard on them. So I can't.
When will I be able to experience any kind of happiness again? Hopefully when my grandaughter is born. I am trying to look towards that.
It is so hard. I do not recognise myself anymore. xxx

OP posts:
MumnGran · 12/06/2013 18:22

Hi Mrs M ... sorry I have been 'absent without leave" Grin but baby cuddling was worth it!

Soooo glad the GP had upped your meds. Expect it will take a few days to start helping, but am hoping it will make life look much more positive for you. ( now needs icon for crossed fingers )

Have read through the posts I just wanted to say that you really never need to say 'sorry' for being upset and depressed, here. I think we are all just pleased that you feel able to vent. You might get a bit of tough love from me, but you know that [hugs]

Also wanted to say that I am so glad you know you could not leave your girls!! That's serious sense. there are a couple of other 'sensible' points on that score........ you would not want him to get every penny of everything, because you opted out? .........you would not want your darling grandchild never to know her precious grandmother? .......you will not want to miss the opportunity to take the bastard for every penny you can!!!
I thought that these were butt-kickingly 'serious' points .....worth another slot on the ever-filling fridge Grin

Someone else mentioned room changing ....but have been meaning to say for ages that I swapped rooms with my daughter. Couldn't bear sleeping in the marital bed, so very happily swapped large with en-suite for small (and cosy!) Might that be an option? my DD was chuffed with the space, and I figures that I wasn't sleeping anyway, so what did it matter Smile Just a thought.

Oooh ... and here are this weeks Flowers for making it through another weekend! (sorry they are late)

BitOutOfPractice · 12/06/2013 18:30

MrsM I have 2 DCtoo (bit younger than yours) and I can honestly say that looking after them was the only thing that got me out of bed for quite a few months. Just keep your mind and heart focused on them and that new baby. Let them help you through it

Yes, you'll feel happy again. I went away with a friend for the weekend and rediscovered laughing. Had some mindless sex Blush and have just met a really lovely man who has made me think that maybe, just maybe, there's life and laughter and love and happiness out there after all

mrsmciver · 12/06/2013 18:57

Mumn. Hello! Glad you are back on, I missed you! And many many hugs back!
Yep you are right about not handing everything to him on a plate. I will fight him for everything, and I mean absolutely bloody well everything! That pig of a man(who likes mini pigs)has got a war on. I may be absolutely devastated but there is no way him and his shitty family are moving in on my girls. It ain't happening!!
That is what keeps me going.
Some days all I can do is get dressed, but I am still here. One breath after another sometimes, but I will do it.
It would be far easier for him if I was committed, or dead, I do realise that, so I will continue to go on. I will fight him.

Bit, mindless sex! Sounds good! where do I go for that? Can the doctor prescribe that I wonder? If only.... 'Yes mrsmciver, one good shag a day for a week, finish the course and see how you feel then'.
Ok.........

xxx

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 12/06/2013 20:01

It bloody well should be on the nhs mrsM!!

Where to find it? I found it with a good friend and ahem a neighbour Smile

MumnGran · 12/06/2013 20:33

Yep ... am all in favour of having "friends with benefits" Blush

Hey Mrs M ... getting dressed is up there with "functioning" Grin and just as well you are managing it .....GP might have panicked a bit if you had rocked up naked!! (though it would have made last weeks shopping trip into a whole different experience)

mrsmciver · 12/06/2013 21:43

My sister says I have to now grow a backbone and stop obsessing about him. She has just been on the phone and given me a bit of a talking to.
I think it is because I am not working that i have too much time on my hands.
How on earth do I fill my days and thoughts now?
I have no will to do anything at all.
Do not know what to do with myself, and it all goes over and over in my head, continually going round and round, I need other thoughts.
I need new nice thoughts.

OP posts:
MumnGran · 12/06/2013 22:44

Please send these Flowers to your sister!
Although I don't think its about finding a backbone, but just rediscovering its there Grin
Its hard when someone else has been your supposed rock for decades, I know, but it is still there....honest!

Filling your time: well;, you have mentioned that health restricts what you can do, but not in any detail (nor, I hasten to add, should you have to!) so am not sure if the excellent suggestion about volunteering may be an option? any local charity shop would probably welcome you!
Primary schools often welcome volunteers to help listen to reading etc (or at least, they used to)
You talked about getting a little dog ... perhaps you could take a temporary option and foster a dog or puppy for a local rescue (the smaller charities might be easier to organise through than the RSPCA, but just worth ringing around), If you like cats, then there is usually massive demand for people to foster mums with litters at this time of year.

Filling your thoughts? ...... might be a good time to start sketching out what you might really want to do. You spoke of moving .... what area? what sort of house? can you start looking at details from estate agents so you have a real idea of the market for when you are ready to make a move?
I took OU degree courses!! .... and for weeks at a time all I could think about were modules and test results. Might be a bit early for that at the moment, but you could start looking at the 100's of courses just to see if you are tempted.
Redecorating? .... not expensively, but fresh paint in colours you really like might do masses to cheer up the house, and you can just do a bit at a time
Ok ..... enough of ideas! what do you really like to do Mrs M ?!?!?!

mrsmciver · 13/06/2013 08:32

Mumn, health restrictions really limit what I do quite a lot. Do not want to go into too much detail but painting a room would be impossible for me, and it all needs done in here too. Everything needs done. It is depressing living here now, it does not feel like home at all. It was all meant to get done this year, it was going to be totally gutted and now that won't happen.
And honestly? What do I want to do now? Have absolutely no idea. My life has been wrapped up in my family so much, everything I did was for them. All I ever really wanted to be was a wife and mother, I didn't have any ambitions for myself that way, and that is where I have gone majorly wrong.
What on earth do I do without my husband here? We done everything together.
I am very lost. Sorry.

OP posts:
MumnGran · 13/06/2013 08:51

Stop with the "sorry" Smile!!
Have been in your shoes ....honestly. Adored being a mum, so happily stayed at home and ended up unable to work as we carted around the world supporting XH's career moves.
I was petrified when I was on my own ... no job...and no idea what to do for myself after decades of 'doing' for the family.

Thats why I was asking what you 'like' to do? thats the best place to start. Along with thinking about your hidden skills ......are you good with people, great with animals, brilliant at keeping accounts?
We all have a bunch of talents that we just accept as normal.......and now is the right time to begin looking at your positives.