No one seemed to care what had happened, who my son was with, or how I felt.
I don’t like to think back on that day, but I want to share my story. It began as an ordinary day. My family and I were heading out to the countryside for a short break and to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We arrived at our cottage rather quickly. While the barbecue was being set up, we wandered around collecting colourful autumn leaves.
After a while, we returned to the car. I decided to feed my son; Id packed some cottage cheese for the journey. He took one spoonful and refused any more. Not wanting to waste it, I finished it myself. About half an hour later, I began to feel ill. I spent the entire picnic lying down in the back seat of the car.
Once we made it home, my husband tried to help by giving me some tablets, but my condition didnt improve. He decided to ring for an ambulance, even though I protested. When the paramedics arrived, they insisted I be taken to hospital. I desperately wanted my husband to come with me, but he had to stay at home with our son, who was on a special diet.
I was anxious about how theyd cope. I phoned my mother and asked if she could pick me up from the hospital in an hour or so. Her answer was blunt:
Im not driving anywhere at this time of night! Youll just have to sort yourselves out.
No one seemed interested in what had happened, who was looking after my son, or how I felt. At the hospital, I underwent an ultrasound and various other tests before they diagnosed appendicitis. I rang my husband to tell him I needed emergency surgery and promised to keep him updated.
Straight after the operation, I started pleading with the nurses for a phone to call home. My husband told me our son was crying and hungry, and he needed to go to the shop. No one, however, was willing to bring food over or help him with our child.
I called my dad and quite literally begged him to help my husband. He dropped off some groceries and said, Dont expect anything from me again!
Throughout my entire stay, not a single relative visited my husband. He looked after our son on his own. On the third day, Andrew rang his mother, and she came down from another town. She was a tremendous help and even visited me in hospital. Looking back, though, I almost wish she hadnt. When she brought my son to see me, he reached his arms out toward me. My mother-in-law remarked:
See? Mummys left you, hasnt she?
Why would you say that? I cried out. Im in hospital!
I was stunned by her comment. She always knew how to say something cutting, but I had no choicewithout her, my husband couldnt have managed.
I truly envy people who have a strong bond with their parents. I always dreamed of having a normal, loving relationship with my in-lawsone built on understanding and care. But, sadly, that hasnt been my experience.
