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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:
springytats · 24/06/2013 08:57

What exactly are you worried about Mrs? Perhaps write it down and we can go through it with you...

Sorry to hear you've got the shakes again this morning. Perhaps factor it in that, for a while, you're going to get the shakes and search round for some techniques to lessen it. eg how long does it take before they stop? What helps, what doesn't help? I always find deep breathing the cure-all for a whole host of things! Actually got rid of migraines by learning to breathe d-e-e-p-l-y and calmly for 5 minutes at the first sign of a migraine.

When you're tense or frightened, breathing can get very shallow. This is the fight or flight mechanism - which you can switch off by breathing deeply, which sends the message to the adrenals that you are not facing a tiger (well, not a rl tiger, anyway) and they don't need to be on the alert, thanks. (Did I do a presentation on this once?)

I also don't drink caffeine any more, because that can zizz you up. I'm a redbush girl these days Smile

Perhaps look out for some relaxation tapes, or go to classes? It's a good skill to learn my darling xxxx

springytats · 24/06/2013 08:59

(btw when I attended a support group for victims of domestic abuse, we all shook. The coffee table was a mess! We all laughed till we cried, mind, sometimes. Plus cried when we cried... you know the thing..)

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 24/06/2013 10:06

Good morning mrsmciver

You mention his dad is a horrible man, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it. If FIL has been self-serving and selfish then his son has probably taken some life lessons from him.

Important that you adopt a new attitude and shake off the old safety blanket (but ultimately mistaken security) of thinking he knew best or had your best interests at heart. Partly for yourself and partly for your DDs. He is the drain on your emotional energy. You didn't trail in his wake for 30 years you were his partner! He didn't drag you along as a favour! Health problems weren't something you conjured up to bug him. Somehow I suspect some of the stress you may have had was due to him anyway?

mrsmciver · 24/06/2013 10:32

My counsellor said the anxiety and stress problems I had last year were down to him. I always found him too harsh, too much of a bully with things. And unconsciously that came out physically, she says it always does and we may not always be aware what is causing it.

His father is a bad bad man. Can't say too much more.

Exh also had women at work complaining about him over the years. Not a lot, just a few times. He always brushed it away with saying that all managers get that. However, I was always a bit uneasy about it. It was about his agressiveness. But I have heard other women whose husbands were managers and they never said anything about complaints against their husbands from other women. But i guess it wouldn't be something that they would talk about?

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 24/06/2013 10:39

Paints a picture doesn't it. A man who asserts his authority and isn't tired of his own voice at work will find it hard to switch off when he gets home.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 24/06/2013 10:40

So, got anything nice planned today mrs?

mrsmciver · 24/06/2013 17:26

Have been out with a friend of mine for a little lunch, she is great she has been so supportive and I love her to bits I do! Also went into town for a little afterwards with my eldest daughter while she got a few bits and pieces. And tonight we are out at a kiddies birthday party!

Have developed this strange twitch in my eye! Hope people don't think I am winking at them.
Also bought a lovely new red camera for new memories. I am going to put loads of new pictures on that soon.

Twat face still hasn't been in touch with his children. Unbelievable.

OP posts:
joanne4571 · 24/06/2013 18:12

Dear Mrs M, I've sat here for the last hour and read your entire thread. I too am going through the most unbelievable grief I have ever experienced after my husband told me he had been having an affair for a year on the 19th of April this year. we have been married for 17 years and together a total of 24 and we have a 14 year old daughter. I too have contemplated subside, I have also had my anti D's increased. I am going through an emotional roller coaster on a daily basis. I can't work at the moment, I am a registered nurse, I fear for my patients safety. My daughter is ambivalent at the moment and is trying to be a normal teenager, having fun with her friends whilst checking in with me if I am having a good or bad day. I understand the morning terrors, this is anxiety and I tell myself it is and tell myself to stop. My family is my life, my future has been robbed from me, my path is entirely different from what I envisaged. I take each hour as it comes. He too is living with his parents and dragged out for 6 weeks if he was coming home or not. came home twice and left again. I know I could never trust him again but, same as you, I'm pining for him and the life that I've lost. Today has been a bad day and I have contemplated suicide again, but then I look at my daughter!! It's so so so hard, I never thought is would see myself in this position. Your story mirrors mine and I have felt every emotion you have and still continue to do so.

joanne4571 · 24/06/2013 18:17

By the way, the twitch is stress. My lip keeps twitching.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 24/06/2013 20:07

mrsmciver I am glad your friend is such an ally, what a blessing to have great friends. Do make sure you use that camera Smile

joanne4571 that is awful, I hope you have real life friends to help support you. It's hard being brave for your DD but knowing how her world has turned upside down too, you will not want to put her through any extra pain by taking a drastic step. I do not speak from experience but gather from these pages that the simple mundane everyday stuff can keep you going one day at a time.

springytats · 24/06/2013 21:16

((((joanne))))

mrsmciver · 24/06/2013 22:11

Oh Joanne I am so very sorry, I really am, for you and your daughter. I know what you are going through.
Please pm me if you want to. I am not sure if I will be any help to you but I can only tell you what I have gone through and continue to go through. The future is terrifying, I am not able to work due to health problems and he has left me in a right state. He has barely bothered with his daughters. I am trying to be there for them, but am a shaky stuttering mess at times. But Joanne please please whatever you do, do not actively contemplate taking your own life. I did, and have regretted it ever since. You cannot do that to your daughter. She can never find you like that. You will ruin her life too if you do, and believe me please believe me, you are going to find out that he will not be worth it. He will not be the man you thought he was.
I am thinking of you sweetheart, of you and your daughter, I do understand. We will do this, we will. We have to.

OP posts:
mrsmciver · 24/06/2013 22:53

Have had a lovely day!

Am scared of the morning tremors starting again. I am scared of waking up and finding out it is all true again. I am so scared!
Deep breath now, tomorrow I have a few things to do, namely housework and a few other bits and pieces.
We will do this!
Joanne, what have you planned for tomorrow?
Remember, one day at a time. One day at a time. Is there anything you can do that will be productive to you in any way? Something that will give you some satisfaction? Have you seen your lawyer yet? Do not under any circumstances believe anything that he says to you now. He will lie then lie some more to get what he wants.
I think my exh is plotting something. he is being too quiet. He will be sending a lawyers letter back to me detailing how all assets should be split and then telling me to feck off with the monthly alimont.
Oh well, I will need to gird my loins for a fight with twat face!

Do you know? However this works out I will always be the winner. He has lost everything that matters. His daughters won't speak to him and he will never see his grandaughter. How can he ever now win? He can't.

OP posts:
skyeskyeskye · 24/06/2013 23:09

Joanne ((hugs)) for you, understand how you feel :(

MrsM, you sound a bit brighter again. I really wish there was a law against twunts leaving their children, or a massive fine to pay. It might make them think twice about keeping their trousers on if it hit them in their pickets. Wouldn't have stopped my XH mind, he's got sod all anyway!

I always get a tic in my eye when I work a lot and get tired. It is stress that causes it. I'm paranoid that people can see it but they can't unless its really severe, then I worry that I'm winking at everyone :)

Just remember ladies, these men are not worth our pain and our tears. Grieve for your loss of your previous life, but don't grieve for them.

Onwards and upwards is the only way to go.

MumnGran · 25/06/2013 04:50

Hi Mrs M ..... planned to talk last night, but a quick restorative zizz on the sofa turned into a full snorefest! woken up at 3am by a dog desperate to go out. Seems all day babysitting is more tiring than I thought.

I am glad you are finding the courage to talk about the way STBXH really was, and 'bully' sounds apt. It is definitely not normal for managers to be reported for aggressive behaviour!! ...and then he carried the behaviour home to you. It is no wonder it has taken you time to shake off the controls, because it sounds as though you were very well trained to avoid displeasing him.

You may be right to brace yourself for a reaction from your ex. Likely to be nasty as bullies never like to be crossed! just remember that you are not at fault. Whatever he says. He no longer controls the situation. If he acts up, your solicitor is now your 'bodyguard'. Let them deal with the ex/
Re the twitch ......now definitely want you to come on holiday to Italy with me, where random winking will guarantee us a "bathroom encounter" - or two!! Grin Blush

*Joanne( (Jo??) ....I am so sorry you find yourself in this same, awful, place. It seems to happen to so many women, and at a stage in life when we least expected it. Try to hang on to the knowledge that accumulated experience shows - however traumatic and shocking this is - we have all emerged better off without them than we ever were with them! I know you will find that hard to believe, but am sure the other girls here will tell you the same. It is sad, but true.
Suicide is not an option Joanne. You know that. You have a daughter who has already effectively "lost" her father, Fourteen is a difficult age at best ....they kick against us, and enter their own worlds, but underneath the 'I don't care' exteriors, we are their rocks. They can act up because they have the security of our love and care. You are the centre of her world just as you have always been, and she is the reason why you will keep going through these dark days.
You are a better person that him.

It is going to take a while, but as Mrs M will tell you, anger is going to fill the vacuum for you. It will happen. It isn't nice, and it isn't easy ...but it will come, and will give you back your fighting spirit.
Have you told work about the situation? I don't recommend taking protracted time off, because we all need the routines to keep us functioning, but management need to know the stress that you are under and take it into account. Not sure what area of nursing you work in, but perhaps take some sick leave for a couple of weeks (am sure your GP will back that) and then return on restricted duty until you are comfortable with your patient safety level? assuming NHS, I know they are very adaptable on this kind of thing......I have a relative in the field who has been off work with stress almost as much as she has been at work, in the last few years!!

One day at a time. And sometimes just one hour at a time.
We are all here to say that this will get better for you!

MumnGran · 25/06/2013 05:02

P.S .... just re-read your post MrsM.
Don't be scared, in the morning, that "its all true".
You now know enough, and are becoming free of him enough, to realise he bullied you for years.....was a man you tiptoed around .... a man whose anger frightened you and your girls....a man who made you account for every penny you spent, and would not let you touch your own savings..... a man who doesn't give two hoots about his children or you.
Losing him shouldn't be scary Mrs M. Its a blessing in disguise!!

How does springy say it goes? fuck off, and then fuck off some more!! Grin

mrsmciver · 25/06/2013 10:49

I hate the mornings so much! I am so worried.

I do not trust him. He will be up to something. I hate this. I hate this! I never wanted this, feel like my whole life is ruined. He is plotting something. I want my life back. I want my girls to feel safe and secure, not having this wreck of a mother now. I am a shell, a shaky heaving shell of a person.

I genuinely feel like my life is over. Sad

I am so dumb, so bloody dumb for grieving for him.

OP posts:
MumnGran · 25/06/2013 10:54

Hold on there Mrs M
Deep breath!
Glad to hear from you ...was starting to worry. Seems as thouygh your morning wobble is starting a little later in the day?

He may be plotting. You can't second guess that.
The important thing is ...so are you! and you have legal representation to prevent any serious misbehaviour on his part.
He can rant, plot, or throw tantrums all he likes .... he is not in your home anymore, so you just have to get him out of your head too.

Your life is NOT over. Your old life is being transformed into one where you are not second fiddle to a bully.
Isn't that a really good thing? .... I think you would be rooting for any other woman in the same place right now, just as you did for Joanne.

Come on, MrsM. the meds just need to kick back in today, and you will be soon be the fighting woman we know and love!!

skyeskyeskye · 25/06/2013 11:37

MrsM - hold on there you know its always bad first thing. You WILL be OK. just keep telling yourself that.

You are helping me and I hope I am helping you. You are not dumb for grieving for him. I have been there, I went to rock bottom too, but slowly fought my way back up again.

I never ever thought I would get over him, but 12 months on, I really really wouldn't have him back, yet I still grieve for the breakup of my family and the loss of the future that I thought I had.....

it's just a natural process to go through, but you will get there and one day, you will be like us, advising others that it will get better and you will be happy with the life that you have.

You need to keep yourself strong to deal with the finances and stuff and concentrate on that and on getting a good deal for yourself and your daughters.

springytats · 25/06/2013 11:39

I think the saying goes:

fuck off to the far side of fuck, then fuck off some more.

so FOTTFSOFATFOSM, if you prefer Wink

And it is a very well-worn MN phrase, so I can't take the credit but you can give it to me if you like

Mrs I learnt about something yesterday and it has been a revelation to me. It is called the drama triangle ie which includes a victim, a persecutor and a rescuer. Hang on, it does make sense....

When you are the victim, as you have been in this (and he the persecutor), it is natural to fall into 'victim' mode - fear, powerlessness. But this isn't an accurate description of what has happened - he doesn't have all the power, he has just hurt you (just! there's no 'just' about it). Yes you will be reeling with the hurt, which is natural and normal and healthy (imo), but you don't have to allow the victim mode of fear and powerlessness to attach itself to your loss. Does that make sense?

Rise up my darling. He has not robbed you of your life - he isn't that powerful. Your pain may feel like he has but he hasn't . You are still alive and you still have the full potential of every human being. Hold on and wait for the fog to pass - hunker down and look after yourself while you wait for it to pass. He did not and does not hold your life in his hands - you do.

I hope this is making sense! I'm new to this myself Grin

MumnGran · 25/06/2013 11:42

Sorry I misquoted you springy ...this F stuff is all a bit revolutionary for me Smile
But I am learning Grin

skyeskyeskye · 25/06/2013 13:04

My post - Thu 20-Jun-13 22:18:20

and if he doesn't like it, tell the Twunt to fuck off to the far side of fuck and when he gets there, fuck off some more.... to quote a well known MN phrase

skyeskyeskye · 25/06/2013 13:08

Spring is right about the drama triangle - my counsellor did this with me. It is also known as the Karpman Triangle. In my case, I was the rescuer and XH was the victim. I rescued him from debt, gave him a home, sorted his life out etc etc. Then at some point, OW became the victim, he became her rescuer and I became the nasty old persecutor.....

what goes around comes around...... now OW is the rescuer, saving him from debt and XH is the victim, I am still the persecutor..... BUT at some point, OW will become the persecutor, XH will become the victim again and I will be so far out of the triangle, they wont see me for dust...

I have not persecuted anyone, but I will not be a victim and I will certainly not rescue another man..

Lavenderhoney · 25/06/2013 13:30

Mrsm, even if he is up to something, it has to be within the law, and you will find out soon enough and deal with it, via a lawyer. Let it come- you don't have to make fast decisions however much he might push. The only thing you can do is ensure you understand as much as you can about what you are entitled to, and build your expectation on that. Your lawyer should advise you.

Joanne, sorry to hear of your situation:(

MumnGran · 25/06/2013 13:42

apologising to everyone today ...sorry Skye

apparently I can't get my fucks to line up this morning Grin