Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Husband has said he wants me to die, I have been diagnosed with cancer

115 replies

Paperbear · 16/02/2025 20:09

My husband has a very very vicious tongue. He has it in all aspects of life and other family members on his side have it too.
I accepted this side of his years ago and made a joke of it to family and friends over the years because he has no filter but I've now been diagnosed with cancer and he has said alot of horrible things over the last few weeks. I do think our marriage is over as I think it has crossed a line.

The trouble is I've been a stay at home mum to our youngest for the last 4 years before school as we decided I should do that instead of work.

This has left me very vulnerable as I don't have an income and my circle of friends closed up especially around covid and shortly after and I was relying on my husband to help me with chemotherapy appointment and sorting th children out together. I have 6 months of treatment ahead and I'm just crying constantly because I don't feel any door is open for me right now. Any advice would be appreciated.

OP posts:
GabbySolisX · 16/02/2025 21:38

I am so sorry, he is a special kind of evil.

i hope you can get some help, make a full recovery and go on to have a better future with your dc. No one deserves to be spoken to like this.

judging by your op, it sounds like he is a emotional abuser, as you said he has a form of this. He is a cruel, selfish, piece of shit, who should be supporting you though this. Not kicking you whilst you’re down.

do you have family?

mathanxiety · 16/02/2025 21:39

Your husband is a horribly abusive man.

Before your appointments, your nurse should go through a checklist with you of all your physical and mental health areas, any bruising, any falls, rashes, tingling fi gers or toes, any dizziness, your mood, appetite, sleep quality, anxiety, energy levels, etc, and they should also ask "Do you feel safe at home" or "Are you safe at home". Tell them you do not feel safe and tell them why.

If they don't do this checklist, just tell your nurse anyway, and ask for support or signposting to support.

Will you be having surgery at all? Do you have anyone who could come to help you after the surgery?

ERthree · 16/02/2025 21:40

He is a bastard of a man. Don't know where you are in the country but if by any chance you are in Ayrshire Pm if you want.

Simplestars · 16/02/2025 21:40

Nasty piece of suit.
Hope he dies before you.

JANEY205 · 16/02/2025 21:41

This breaks my heart. From one stay at home
morher to another, sending you a huge hug. If practically there is nobody else that can support you in taking you to appointments, getting the children sorted etc can you stay whilst you undergo treatment and grey rock him? Keep posting on here, get a notes app on your phone and vent away to it. Each rude remark from him gets a curt ‘that is a horrendous thing to say, keep such vile thoughts to yourself’ and then you walk away. Im so sorry op!! I’m not condoning any of this as he is vile. I just understand all too well how without family support it can feel impossible to leave immediately, especially whilst you are so vulnerable.

dancingwhilstfacingthemusic · 16/02/2025 21:42

I am so sorry all round, OP.
This is a very supportive thread for people going through treatment: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/5219604-cancer-support-thread-96-its-nearly-christmas-get-the-sprouts-on?page=17&reply=142223819

hattie43 · 16/02/2025 21:43

What a hateful man , I cannot believe someone could be so callous . As others have said call on family : friends : support options to rally around . You are stuck financially there has to be some better options to him staying around .

saveforthat · 16/02/2025 21:44

Iwanttoliveonamountain · 16/02/2025 20:44

You sound like you’re so alone but tomorrow call McMillan or call one of the other helplines and just talk to someone in the first instance. put yourself first. You must have a special nurse at the hospital. Send them an email and talk to them and see what support they can offer you. McMillan also give small grants to those in need apply for one and treat yourself to something. Your husband, what can we say? You’ve been with him a long time this probably isn’t the time for leaving is it? It’s messed up what he’s doing but that’s what he’s always done. Try your hardest not to think about six months ahead think about tomorrow and what you’re going to do tomorrow. You can deal with this because you are dealing with this.

Yes McMillan are brilliant. I've been through chemo op, you need some support. Do you have any family or friends that can help?

mathanxiety · 16/02/2025 21:45

I second your advice to make your will.

Your HCP may ask if you wish to create a living will - this means your wishes in case you are unable to participate in decisions about your healthcare, whether heroic measures should be taken to resuscitate you if your vital signs fail, etc, and naming your next of kin for the purposes of decisions and notification/ contact. Find someone other than this twat to be your next of kin and talk with them about your wishes in case of a worst case scenario.

Tweensandterribletwos · 16/02/2025 21:53

I have no advice, I’m sorry, but your husband is an utter cunt and I really hope your prognosis is good and your treatment successful!

Chuchoter · 16/02/2025 21:53

How has this come about? Did he say he hopes you will die rather than have prolonged suffering which in itself is awful to say out aloud to you but is different from saying 'I hope you die'!

Godasiyo · 16/02/2025 21:57

Cancer survivor here - so many women are vulnerable during treatment and you will need help with the children. I had several overnight visits to A&E and a few days’ stay in hospital during chemotherapy. It is very important that this man is not recorded as your next of kin in case you’re too unwell to make decisions. I was a single parent during treatment but people rallied round enough to get me through. My ex-husband was zero help. Please tell your cancer care team exactly what is happening and have it recorded that you don’t want him having any say in your treatment. He will have to look after the children if you don’t have any family members who can step in. What an awful excuse for a man.

EdithBond · 16/02/2025 21:59

Bloody hell! That’s so nasty.

I’d take it a step at a time. For the next few months, focus on your treatment and recovery. Likely to be best for you to stay living with your DH, if you can bear it, so you don’t have to worry about working and it’s easier to juggle childcare. But, if you feel your marriage can’t be saved, even if your DH works really hard on biting his tongue, then start to plan a future on your own.

Think about the best job options and roughly how much you may be able to earn. Start to figure out how much you’ll have if assets are split and what housing options that might give you. How much of a mortgage you may be able to get. There’s a lot to research and inquire about. Could be something to fill your time with during treatment, at times you feel up to it.

If at all possible, it’s best not to end a marriage in a rush. And to ensure the split is as amicable as possible, so it’s easier to co-parent. You’ll have to think about the impact on your DC of your treatment, followed by the separation of their parents. However much you cushion them from any anxiety and stress, both will still have a big effect. If he’s verbally abusive to them, start to log evidence, so you can argue for full custody.

Then, during your recovery, start to rebuild your circle of friends. I guess a positive is that having treatment for cancer gives you a reason to get back in touch with people. You can say it’s made you reevaluate the people who enrich your life and you’d like to see them more often. Might be a bit less awkward than if you contacted people out of the blue.

I hope the treatment goes as well as possible and you’ll then be able to turn the page and start a new chapter of your life where you’re free of verbal abuse. In the meantime, every time he says anything vicious, walk away and remind yourself it’s his problem he can’t regulate his behaviour and be determined not to let it affect you. Hold your head high.

Good luck with it all.

Godasiyo · 16/02/2025 22:02

saveforthat · 16/02/2025 21:44

Yes McMillan are brilliant. I've been through chemo op, you need some support. Do you have any family or friends that can help?

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/13/macmillan-cancer-support-cuts-quarter-of-staff-and-scraps-hardship-scheme

Bad timing but there are other sources of support available such as Maggie’s centres.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 16/02/2025 22:06

I was just about to post that as well. To save a step here's the support page:

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help

here's maggies
https://www.maggies.org

Mumtobabyhavoc · 16/02/2025 22:12

Also here re the abuse

www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/

HappyMe6 · 16/02/2025 22:14

Can’t believe what I’ve just read please tell friends family you need support my heart goes out to you

Baileysandcream · 16/02/2025 22:17

So sorry to hear what you're going through, you've had some brilliant advice already, but here's another vote for Maggies - it's a great place to go to and have a coffee and a chat with someone. They also offer various groups, counselling and workshops.

You should have a specialist nurse and hopefully a MacMillan contact - they should be able to help you applying for any benefits - you may be entitled to PIP, Macmillan did the application for me when I had my diagnosis. All I had to do was give my consent, NI number and bank details and they filled out all the forms. I believe Maggies offer help with this too.

Please reach out to old friends, family and neighbours if you know them. You may find they are only too happy to step in and help out as much as possible. I have reconnected with old friends and received offers of lifts to treatment from some very unexpected sources. Honestly people like to help out where they can.

Also look into hospital transport - it's free and is there to help you to get to hospital appointments.

Wishing you all the best

NewHeaven · 16/02/2025 22:18

You are in serious danger of harm from this man while you're receiving treatment, please inform your healthcare team immediately. There is a possibility that he might try to tamper with your meds or overdose you. Please keep your medication locked away and out of reach from him.

Mopsy567 · 16/02/2025 22:23

Just wanted to say how truly sorry I am. What a terrible person he is. OP, I hope you can tell someone about this and get shot of him. Try women's aid, family members, even a nurse at the hospital might signpost you for further help. Seek out support if you can. I left an abusive relationship at a vulnerable time. Not easy, but totally worth it

AsLivingArrows · 16/02/2025 22:25

I recommend reading this book. If you aren't comfortable following the link, Google 'Why Does He Do That PDF' and the link will be there too.

https://archive.org/download/LundyWhyDoesHeDoThat/Lundy_Why-does-he-do-that.pdf

The other thing I recommend is to speak to Women's Aid. They're really good at the practical stuff or if you need reassurance about what is and isn't abuse.

There's also the power and control wheel. I'm not sure if MN is accepting images at the moment, but have a Google if it doesn't. It might help you identify problems other than verbal abuse.

You don't deserve to be treated like this. It's despicable.

Husband has said he wants me to die, I have been diagnosed with cancer
Klozza · 16/02/2025 22:25

I’m so sorry that sounds absolutely horrific! I’ve heard so manu stories of men just turning on their partners when they have Cancer, actually sickens me as I could never imagine doing that to a partner. You deserve SO much better and I hope you have a full recovery 🩷

Pinkpillow7 · 16/02/2025 22:26

We’re all here for you OP. Keep talking to us xx

TwinkleLights24 · 16/02/2025 22:29

There will be single mums who have gone through cancer treatment. His vile, psychotic mouth is the last thing you need to be around.

Reach out to your friends and family, even if there’s been periods without talking.

AsLivingArrows · 16/02/2025 22:32

Sorry that image has a poor resolution. Hopefully this one works

Husband has said he wants me to die, I have been diagnosed with cancer