Feeling let down by husband

My father was diagnosed with cancer nearly 2 years ago,  and he is now entering the final stages. My husband and I were living on the other side of the world and had already decided to move back a year ago before we found out he was terminal. We agreed to live in his home country in Europe but with the pandemic and the change in dad's prognosis I asked if we could spend this last year in the UK to be near him and move to his country after. For context we met here in UK and he had lived half his life here. He refused and said he wanted to be around his own friends. Normally I would stay here and let him go for a year but we are about to start fertility treatment, I'm nearly 40 and so it can't be delayed.

I have been back home for the past 3 months as Dad has got very weak and disabled and it seems to be nearing the end. My husband has not come with me and everytime I speak to him it's as though he is waiting to start an arguement. He says I am away too long and he feels like he is missing out in our relationship. He recently travelled to see his sister and now wants to travel again to see his Mum. I did not have a problem with him doing that, although I did feel somewhat abandoned. He spent all last summer with his Mum and left me to see Dad by myself. We only saw each other last summer because I agreed to take a break amd spend a few weeks with him over there.

I have isolate when I get back before the fertility clinic and he was angry that it means he will only get 3 weeks at his mums place (she lives by the beach and he wants to snorkel for the summer). I can't help but feel he is being incredibly selfish and really quite hurtful. He knows my sister who is also my best friend is now being investigated for cancer herself which she does not want to tell my parents about. I have been having panic attacks and when I let him know he says I am too over emotional and its too much for him. I feel really awful, on one hand I feel I should leave him on the other I don't want to make any rash decisions, which would also mean accepting not having a child, while I am so emotionally charged. 

I guess I don't really know what I am asking, matbe just reassurance that he is being unreasonable and I am not asking too much. 

  • Hi hope you don't mind a man replying to your message,we hear alot of couples some been married for years find their partners not the person they thought they were,not really caring and thoughtful as if they wanted there own life and do there own thing and hard luck to there partner and there feelings,. I'm sure you will get messages from others soon , but I think you already know what alot people think about his behaviour., the final choice is yours of course but if I was you I'd definitely think about a future with him if he's like this now and what happens if you get ill and nead help.

    Good luck with whatever you choose and hope you can have a good future.

    Billy

  • Thanks for reply Billy, of course I don't mind a man replying. I think I do know what tge right decision is, Ijust don't have the headspace right now to deal with it and I think I needed to vent. 

  • Hi there ...

    Billy is the shining example of the most loving / caring hubby ever in my opinion ... if others were half as caring it would be a wonderful world ...

    I must say this is a forum about cancer, not marage ... but I'm sure yours does include your parent, I can understand your dilema ... if it were me, I'd give him a lifetime snorkling membership ... and get on with my family that needed me ... I'm sure you know in your gut the answer ... really life is too short to worry about someone who only worries about his self ... your worth more then that ... good luck ... so sorry about your dad ... Chrissie x

  • Can I just pipe up and say I agree totally with our billy and chriss.....

     

    Sadly if you husband can't be there for you in your difficult time of need I can't see him being there at anytime, he sounds pretty selfish to me....good luck to you and hope you find a good way forward xx

  • Hi you are exactly where you need to be right now. Your snokelling idiot of a husband would expect you to do what you're doing for your dad if it was himself.

    I hope they're wrong about your sister but right at this moment it's one way or the other but she needs your support for the outcome. If they're wrong she can help with your dad who you are trying to take good care of but you need to take care of yourself too you're no good to anyone if you go under from stress. And if they're correct where else would you want to be. 

    Take care of yourself your dad and sister stay in England don't feel guilty for anything you're doing your best of a bad situation.

    Good luck to your dad and sister. 

    Angie 

     

  • Hello,

    First of all I am so sorry to read about your father, I hope he is managing okay and you too.

    I absolutelty do not think you are overreacting, I think you are well within your rights to feel this way. As your husband, he should be dropping anything to give you the support you need be it in person or whenever you speak to him on the phone etc. I am sorry you're not getting the support you need here. He sounds like he is being very selfish, and as Billy pointed out what would happen if it was you who, god forbid, took unwell or needed more support? What a terrible time for him to chose to behave like this. 

    I am so sorry, but the decision is ultimately yours, but you do not deserve this.

    Best wishes x

  • Hi Chrissie, Thank You for your reply. Iapologise if this seems put of place I understand it's not a forum about marriage. I guess I was needing to reach out about the strain of caring for so. Eonewitj cancer whilst bei g married to someone in another country. 

  • Thabk You for your reply Angie, I do feel much stronger at the moment and have it the situation much clearer in my head. I know I need to be here and won't accept any pressure otherwise

  • You won't regret one moment of spending the last precious time you have with your dad. Take care

    Angie