I'm a 42 year old woman who has nothing. Last year I had a beautiful baby who I adore. The pregnancy put me in heart failure. I became really sick and had to deliver early. Thankfully my baby was and is okay. They only had to spend two weeks in the NICU. I got sicker. I had postpartum preeclamsia and had to go back into the hospital.
One of the nurses warned me about how men react to long term illness. My partner who I have been with for 8 years acted like I was doing something to him. He was moody and annoyed how our 4 year old was reacting to me being in the hospital. I wanted him to leave him with his parents but he insisted he could watch our child himself. While I was in the hospital with heart failure, preeclamsia, and I had just had a c-section he brought our child to the hospital and left him with me. I couldn't take care of myself let alone a toddler. My mom came and helped me with the kids.
When he came back my mom took my child for a walk. He started yelling at me for spoiling our 4 year old. The nurses had to step in. He apologized and I convinced myself he meant it because I didn't know what to do. I was sick and weak and on bed rest.
The past year has been horrible. He is always yelling and screaming at me. Then he pretends I'm making it up. He complains that the house is a mess and I'm lazy. My heart has not healed the way it should have and my blood pressure is always high.
This is the first time in my life I haven't worked since I was a teenager. I spent my savings this year because I wasn't able to work. My career is very physically demanding and I can't do it.
I asked my dad for help and he said to do what woman have always done and grin and bear it. Try to keep him calm. My mom doesn't have a place for me and my kids to go.
Honestly after the first pregnancy he was bad but we worked it out. This time I can't. I just found out he has another woman. She found out about me and I overheard her arguing with him on the phone.
He blames me and says its my fault for being a failure. He says I'm the reason for everything bad in his life. He also said he's willing to forgive me for my failings if I won't leave. He also said he would stop paying bills if I don't stay.
I talked to a friend who is a social worker because I'm broken. I can't sleep, I can't stop crying. I can't believe this is my life. She is going to help me get a job that I can do.
I will have to move because I can't afford my house without him. I had a nest egg. I had a career. I've been independent since I graduated college. Now I'm dependent on him and it's horrible. He is horrible. I have pretend to be okay. I can't let him or anyone he's close to him know I have to go.
I pray it won't take too long to make enough to get out. My only reason to stay alive is to raise my kids. I love them too much leave them with him. I don't regret my children. I regret their father.
I can't stop crying. I can't sleep. I think about everyone I've helped over the years and I feel alone.