Basically MIL has recently started having back problems and issues with the scar area from her hysterectomy (sp) which was done over 10 years ago. So she told SIL she could'nt babysit her DC's while she went back to work, after that being the plan for over a year. SIL felt let down and told MIL and FIL in future to phone before visits and they would see the DC's once a week or so from now on, instead of popping in almost daily.
SIL has also mentioned to me she thinks MIL is playing on niggle in he back as being more than it is for sympathy and to make people feel sympathy for her (she can be manipulative when she wants - no question there)
However MIL has no job and hates where she lives so I am worried she may become depressed at staring at 4 walls all day. So I called her today and she sounded so down. She said she had'nt been out in nearly a fortnight, not even her weekly hair-do, although BIL took DC's to her at the weekend. She said her only exercise is to pace the living room.
She complained her belly has become puffy. She's got some tests later this week and sounded so anxious. But when I told DH, he said she had'nt mentioned anything to him about her back and tummy, all he knew was about an onging ear problem.
So now I wonder if she has a problem which she is too embarrased to tell her DS's about, but tells thier wives. (in the past she has also told me about her and FIL's bedroom behaviours as she had no one else to talk to about them (very uncomfortable conversation and DH did'nt want to know a word of it when I told him)
Or if there is no problem at all but she knows SIL and I talk to each other so makes sure we both know the same