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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

BF of 2 1/2 years didn't tell me he was taken to hospital.

168 replies

Offred · 07/11/2015 21:56

In an ambulance and kept in for two days until today (3 days later) and only mentioned it because he was already late coming round to see me and he wanted comfort from me.

He asked the hospital to phone his mum, he emailed his work. He thinks I didn't need/shouldn't want to know and is angry I was upset with him.

I realise I do not have any right at all to know about anyone else's medical conditions. I simply feel hurt that when he was thinking through/being asked who should be told he didn't think I should/would want to know as it makes me feel unimportant.

I have spent two sleepless nights (while he was in hospital) fearing I was being given the silent treatment for not being up for sex chat on weds eve and being upset at the weekend.

He says me being upset now is why he doesn't tell me things but I am always upset when he avoids things or lies and tries to manage my feelings. I have never been upset when he has been honest, even about difficult things.

I'm not mental am I? He doesn't really give a shit about me when he isn't getting something he wants from me...

OP posts:
Offred · 08/11/2015 15:49

And I won't disclose what he was in hospital for because that'd be really shitty and please don't openly guess, but suffice to say it is something that he WILL be in pain with. He had morphine in hospital and apparently even that didn't help. It is a very painful condition.

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Offred · 08/11/2015 15:51

Oh and neither of us are on social media! So that's one plus!!

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AlwaysHope1 · 08/11/2015 15:52

You are the only one in control of your life. Do not choose This for yourself, as it is a choice. He can't make you take him back, you do that. He sounds like a waste of time, and you need to stop wasting years of your life on him. Just block all contact with him.

Offred · 08/11/2015 16:03

I know what you are saying about the blocking and why. I am not going to block him this time because he controls me by making me afraid and catching me off guard. Blocking him will just make me on edge not knowing whether he is planning something crazy like turning up or sending the police round because I'm not replying. He can't get into my house now as he hasn't got keys but I do not want to feel unsafe in my own house and not know whether he will be turning up at any time. The kids do not know this is going on and they think he is fab and have not seen any of the stupid stuff. Would be very upset if I called the police and would let him in if he called round and they got to the door. I will feel much more in control if I do not block him.

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Friendlystories · 08/11/2015 16:05

I've also seen you give fantastic advice to others, you're so much better than this, worth so much more. I think your current strategy is absolutely the right one in this situation, detach at a pace and in a way you feel comfortable with, build your life back up with stuff which doesn't include him and give yourself time to come to terms with the fact that this man, this relationship was a mistake made at a time when you were vulnerable to exactly this type of fuckwittery. There's no shame in that, he took advantage and you should be proud that you can see that now and are not prepared to accept it anymore, he's the one who should feel shame. It's time you cashed in a little of the investment you've made in helping others on here, I for one will be here if you need support Flowers

Anastasie · 08/11/2015 16:09

I think you are handling this well.

Keep on with the unfussed, unscared, unapologetic behaviour - the more confident you are the more respectfully he will (probably) behave, and also he will know he is onto a losing streak and may even just bugger off.

You can treat him like a human being (and I kwym about not blocking - best to know their plans) but he sounds all mouth tbh. so don't be afraid.

Be really confident - if he tries to weasel back in ' ha! not this time matey : )' attitude will work wonders IMO.

Laugh at him, be jovial, be confident - but stay strong. You have built a wall in your head and he is outside of it. No going back. [thumbs up]

Offred · 08/11/2015 16:15

Kids are with XH mostly this week, only here on weds night when he has regular plans and with my mum after school until bedtime on Thursday then in school/at xh's all the time until I pick them up from school on Monday the following week. I have lots to do this week and great neighbours who know what's going on and who I can easily go to anytime. I think he'll leave me be this week tbh and it'll be next week I have to worry when I have the kids all week/weekend apart from weds eve.

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Offred · 08/11/2015 16:18

And thanks fern particularly. I'll update here what happens. I expect nothing at all this week! I also expect him to do something unpredictable - hope that will be just quietly going away!

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Lacoba66 · 08/11/2015 16:19

OP, I've been there with the 'to block or not' scenario. My ex, just used to withhold his number or use a Skype number. It ended up easier to leave unblocked, as at least I had a record of the incessant amount of times he called.

A bit childish, but maybe change his name in phone to something like 'cock womble' or something that's equally suitable.

Hissy · 08/11/2015 16:20

Oh Offred I am so sorry to see how this has happened to you, but so in awe of your honesty and bravery. Please don't beat yourself up for any of this, so many of us, if we're honest, have had men of comparable wanker status in our lives, and it's hilarious how they all follow a similar script. Even down to photos from the hospital bed. I mean FFS!!!!

You will get through this, you really will. I just want to give you a massive hug.

Offred · 08/11/2015 16:21

He has been 'knobhead' in my phone for a year already!

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Friendlystories · 08/11/2015 16:23

Well that just says it all Grin you can do this, keep hold of that anger, it's exactly what you need right now.

Offred · 08/11/2015 16:28

And you know what? I am NOT beating myself up! All my anger and disappointment IS REALLY pointed at him for once! It is freeing. No more sitting around fretting over why he is doing this stuff to me, no more feeling like he must be right and I am horrible and deserve it. I don't deserve it, I never did, he told me that to make me weak and controllable. He is an utter narcissist and there is no way to be in a safe and happy relationship with a narcissist, if you are in a relationship with one everything bad that happens is always their fault, they are always making it happen and it is never about you, it's about them being weak and empty inside.

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Offred · 08/11/2015 16:30

He's the wizard of Oz! Ha ha ha!

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jackanora · 08/11/2015 16:32

I have someone down as "cock" in my phone. Makes me laugh every time he texts me!

I;m also good at giving friends advice, and care a lot about people - which is obviously the case with you too offred. You've got compassion, wisdom and you're interested in working things out and undertanding them.

Sometimes those characteristics mean we can apply them to the wrong people. Always try and look for the good. Always try and consider what you might have done to contribute.

I am not sure if it's a good or a bad thing as the years go by. When I was younger I think it was a good thing, I was lucky and encountered good people who returned my efforts. When you combine it with a bad person it becomes a curse.

I've been through a few short relationships lately where I could not see the wood for the trees. Friends telling me it didn't sound quite right, but the man was giving just enough to leave me hopeful that my doubts were misplaced.

I have a thread right now where I am trying to make ammends to a man I feel is lovely, who I have behaved badly towards but today was spent in a lot of thought and I can see when I step very, very far out of it that I am trying to see the best. That yes, I have behaved badly, but sadly he did trigger that. Mr unavailable and the fallout girl all over again. He provides 50% evidence he really likes me and is invested and 50% of the time he causes doubts of that.

Deep down I know life should not be like that, deep down I know that while I have behaved badly he has led to it, but I want to believe. Want it to be right. Want to figure through it and somewhere in it even good, smart, capable women lose themselves in a messed up situation that bring them more pain than happiness.

What's the diferrence between women who do this and women who don't? I have no idea offred, but I do know that I wasn't always like that. Were you? For me, I think a chain of events came to pass that caused me to expect less, to value me less, to allow others to do so. Inside I would be ragingly angry at time but then I would accept and apology and go right back to it.

I'm sad I have let me become worth so little to myself, sad that you have, but inspired by the braveyr you have to make this thread and also not to NC so we would know that even the women on here that we admire and respect can also put themselves in situations like this and struggle to do what's best.

Sometimes it is just a build up and a final snap. I truly hope you have reached yours. I truly hope that for you and hope that in a years time I see posts from you about how you got rid of this loser and met someone who is nothing like that. Someone who makes you feel good all the time.

We all deserve that, don't we?

I understand how you feel about blocking. I have never been a blocker myself. I understand it serves a purpose, but the decison to move on comes from inside you and the act of blocking is no real help in getting there. You have to truly believe inside there is something better for you.

Offred · 08/11/2015 16:43

I know how I got like this and unfortunately I've always been this way too! Stupid abusive childhood.

I know I am vulnerable to this kind of relationship because of how I am. Other people's pain hurts me and I want to help because I've had my fair share too. I know that what I am doing when I get involved in fixing things for other people is trying to love the child I was who didn't receive the love I needed. I know it is a maladaptive coping mechanism and does not help me or other people.

I'm going to try and put giving the love to myself into practice but that's the part that seems unclear - how to stop saving other people and how to actively love myself instead! Work in progress!

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jackanora · 08/11/2015 16:54

I struggle with that too.

Sounds like we have similar childhoods.

CuntryLiving · 08/11/2015 17:04

Very please for you Offred that you finally have clarity and are getting rid. When he does finally text asking to come round, maybe instead of 'no thanks', you could just say 'no'. That way, you have a response you can repeat if you ever feel the need to reply to any more of his bullshit.

Offred · 08/11/2015 19:12

The anger is dissipating a bit now which while expected is still a ballache! In work tomorrow though which will distract me.

I've written lame notes to myself on my whiteboard!

BF of 2 1/2 years didn't tell me he was taken to hospital.
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Friendlystories · 08/11/2015 19:26

Nothing lame about it, you do what you need to do to stay strong, it will be worth it to be free of him. Read your posts back if you need to get angry again, it's made people who don't even know you in RL angry on your behalf so it should work for you! I've said it already but you deserve so much better than he can give you, don't settle for less than you're worth.

MissApple · 08/11/2015 19:40

Sorry, is he Brad Pitt? George Clooney? No? Then why are you making excuses for his behaviour??

He didnt tell you he was in hospital because he was probably waiting for the OW to turn up. Bin the c*nt

Offred · 08/11/2015 20:02

That would make it nice and simple!

However, he's genuinely not interested in her anymore because she 'used him', he thinks that should make me feel better. He thinks he is some kind of prize and that him deigning to spend time with me (only at times he is willing to) is giving me what I want/a gift.

I'm not making excuses for him at all, I did for a brief time when I felt very low, but on the whole all the way through I've seen it how it was and told him often it wouldn't wash. The mistake was bothering to tell him because he just used it to beat me down and I felt scared/trapped and like Cassandra.

He complained that I should have no reason to feel insecure because he isn't interested in her anymore. Hmm yeah, because she pissed him off, not because he ever had any respect or consideration at any stage for me.

I'm secretly quite pleased about what she did to him - thoroughly exploited his infatuation for her total benefit then tossed him aside! He entirely deserved it. I hope he feels really hurt!

I don't like her personally but that's just because she is a ruthless, selfish narc too, not anything to do with him/her. I think he got exactly what he deserved and it is his fault things are uncomfortable for him at work now! He's looking for another job because he's a special snowflake!

Oh look there it is, the anger again!

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Offred · 08/11/2015 20:17

betweenyesterdayandtoday.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/emotionally-and-verbally-abusive-passive-aggressive-men/ this is excellent and describes him perfectly!

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AndTheBandPlayedOn · 09/11/2015 00:14

Hi Offred
I am glad for you that you have reached (and gone beyond!) emotional disconnection. It is a true Liberation.
When I finally broke up (an engagement) with an abusive bf, after going back once, it was like I just didn't want to hear it anymore. One phrase, one syllable into another insult towards me and I just stopped listening. I was in a parking lot, I turned to walk to my sister's place (ha, he didn't dare follow!) I didn't even look at him and said over my shoulder, "tell it to the next one".
It was very empowering. Your posts are very empowering, Offred.

Take care and enjoy your "alone" time. Grin

Unreasonablebetty · 09/11/2015 01:27

Woah. He belongs in the bin.