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“How Was I Supposed To Know?”: Husband Is Defensive After Leaving Wife During Surgery
“How Was I Supposed To Know?”: Husband Is Defensive After Leaving Wife During Surgery
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“How Was I Supposed To Know?”: Husband Is Defensive After Leaving Wife During Surgery

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Having someone in your family who has had cancer and then finding a lump in your body can be utterly terrifying. Medical technology has improved substantially, so your chances of getting better are good, but it still doesn’t take away from the fear you might feel. Not all tumors are malignant, but it’s still scary to go under the knife.

An anonymous woman went viral on the internet after venting about her husband’s behavior during her lumpectomy. She opened up about how he went out to get lunch while she was in surgery, despite having given her the impression that he’d stay at the hospital. Read on for the full story.

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    It can mean the world to someone if their family and friends are at the hospital with them while they’re getting surgery

    Woman in hospital bed with doctor, discussing surgery while using an oxygen tube, highlighting a husband's defensive absence.

    Image credits: DC Studio / freepik (not the actual photo)

    An anonymous woman who had to get a tumor removed shared how her husband went off to do some chores while she was in the operating room

    Text description of an argument with husband after he leaves wife during surgery.

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    Text about a husband becoming impatient during his wife's delayed surgery.

    Text discussing a husband leaving during his wife's surgery for lunch.

    Text reading, “He gave me the impression he would stay, and I was wheeled away,” about husband leaving during surgery.

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    Text from an emotional account describing a critical moment during surgery, husband's absence noted.

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    Text describing a woman's experience after surgery and lack of support from her husband.

    Defensive husband justifies leaving wife during surgery, questioning unexpected complications.

    A couple arguing in a park, with the husband looking defensive, wearing a green plaid shirt.

    Image credits: wirestock_creators / freepik (not the actual photo)

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    Text of wife expressing shock over husband's lack of remorse for leaving during her surgery.

    Text describing a husband's defensiveness after leaving his wife during surgery.

    Text expressing frustration and distrust after being left alone during surgery, highlighting feelings of anxiety and betrayal.

    Image credits: Anonymous

    Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers that affects women

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    Person in a pink shirt wearing a breast cancer awareness ribbon.

    Image credits: pixel-shot.com / freepik (not the actual photo)

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    According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. Breast cancer accounts for nearly a third (30%) of all new female cancers in the US each year.

    It’s estimated that in 2024 there will have been around 311k new diagnoses of invasive breast cancer in women, 56.5k new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ, and 42.3k women may have lost their lives due to breast cancer.

    This type of cancer mainly occurs in middle-aged and older women, with a median age at the time of diagnosis being 62 years old. As per the American Cancer Society, a very small number of women are diagnosed with breast cancer when they are younger than 45.

    The average risk for American women to develop breast cancer at some point in their lives is around 13%. In recent years, incidence rates have increased by around 0.6% per year.

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    It really does matter whether your loved ones follow through with their promises

    Two hands making a pinky promise, symbolizing support and understanding during a difficult time like surgery.

    Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

    Subjectively, there is a huge difference in whether your loved ones support you throughout your illness or are nowhere to be found. Their emotional support and physical presence can keep you optimistic and hopeful even when things seem very dark.

    Unless your family or friends are doctors and surgeons, they probably won’t be able to directly assist with your surgery. However, just knowing that someone’s waiting near you while you’re in the operating room is helpful. Being there is what matters.

    On top of that, there’s the person’s level of honesty to consider. If they go back on a promise they’ve made, you naturally start to wonder whether you can rely on them in the future.

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    In this particular case, the husband drove his wife to the hospital and he cared for her after the surgery. So, it shows that he does care about his partner’s welfare, to a large extent.

    However, he was nowhere to be found when there were some serious complications during the surgery. If your spouse was off doing chores when they said they’d be by your side at the hospital, it could lead to a lot of unpleasant feelings. There are times when you have to postpone practical things like getting food and gas, even if objectively it sounds more ‘efficient.’

    Accidents can and do happen during surgery, but you have to trust your doctor and their colleagues to do the best that they can. And the obvious needs to be said: it’s less scary to deal with those fringe medical situations when your soulmate is by your side, every step of the way.

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    Lumpectomies are smaller procedures than mastectomies, and they can be combined with radiation therapy

    Brain surgery observation with doctors in discussion, displaying an MRI scan on the monitor.

    Image credits: DC Studio / freepik (not the actual photo)

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    According to Mayo Clinic, a lumpectomy (also known as an excisional biopsy, quadrantectomy, or breast-conserving surgery) is surgery to remove cancer or other abnormal tissue from your breast.

    During the procedure, the surgeon also removes a small amount of healthy tissue around the problematic part to make sure that all of the abnormality is removed.

    A lumpectomy, which is a treatment option for early-stage breast cancer, results in only a portion of the breast being removed, compared to a mastectomy where all of the breast tissue is removed.

    Lumpectomies can be used to rule out a cancer diagnosis, but they can also be followed by radiation therapy to reduce the chances of the cancer returning.

    The Cleveland Clinic explains that you may be a candidate for lumpectomy if the cancer affects only one area in your breast, the tumor is relatively small, your health allows for radiation therapy afterward, and you’ll have enough remaining tissue in your breast after the procedure to reshape it.

    On the other hand, you may be advised to avoid a lumpectomy and go for other procedures if you have multiple tumors in one breast, have a large tumor, cancer has penetrated the breast skin or chest wall, if you have a family history of breast cancer, or if the type of breast cancer is considered fast-growing.

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    You’re not alone. Talk to your doctor about what procedures may be best for you. Get a second (or third, or fourth) opinion from other medical experts. Do some research on your own. Talk to some breast cancer survivors. Reach out to cancer charities and organizations for help.

    What’s your take on the situation? How would you feel if your partner went off to do chores while you were in surgery? Have you or someone you care about beaten cancer? What advice would you give anyone who’s been diagnosed recently? Share your thoughts in the comments.

    Later, the author interacted with some of her readers in the comments and shared more info

    Reddit comments discussing husband's insensitive remark about surgery situation.

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    Reddit comments about husband's reaction to unknown calls during wife's surgery.

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    A lot of internet users thought that the woman was right to be upset with her spouse

    Reddit comment criticizing a husband's behavior for leaving his wife during surgery.

    Reddit comment discussing a husband's defensive reaction after leaving his wife during surgery.

    Reddit comment criticizing husband for leaving wife during surgery, questioning his disorganization.

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    Reddit comment criticizing husband for leaving wife during surgery, emphasizing support from friends.

    Reddit comment discussing a husband's defensiveness after leaving wife during surgery.

    Reddit comment on defensive husband leaving wife during surgery, discussing relationship dynamics.

    Reddit comment discussing husband's reaction during wife's surgery, highlighting support and relationship dynamics.

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    Screenshot of a comment discussing a husband who left his wife during surgery, expressing frustration and disbelief.

    Comment discussing a husband's defensive reaction after leaving wife during surgery.

    Comment discussing husband's defensiveness after leaving wife during surgery, receiving 204 points, 5 months ago.

    Reddit comment advising divorce due to husband leaving wife during surgery.

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    Reddit comment discussing a husband leaving his wife during surgery and the importance of support.

    Comment discussing husband being defensive after leaving wife during surgery.

    Reddit comment discussing husband being defensive after leaving wife during surgery.

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    Text exchange about husband leaving wife during surgery, user shares similar experience.

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    Comment discussing husband's defensiveness about leaving wife during surgery.

    Text discussing relationship expectations and trust during illness, highlighting the husband's defensiveness.

    Comment expressing sympathy about a husband's defensive reaction after leaving wife during surgery.

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    Comment on a husband's defensive reaction after leaving during wife's surgery.

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    Reddit comment criticizing husband's defense for leaving wife during surgery.

    Some people thought that both the husband and wife were in the wrong

    Reddit comment discussing a husband's defensiveness after leaving his wife during surgery.

    Comment discussing husband's absence during wife's surgery complication.

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    Reddit comment about a husband leaving during wife's surgery, discussing going to get food.

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    A few internet users were much less understanding. Here’s how they saw everything

    Reddit comment discussing a husband's defensive attitude after leaving his wife during surgery.

    Reddit user discusses husband leaving wife during her surgery, emphasizing defensiveness.

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    Online comment discussing husband leaving wife during surgery delay.

    Comment discussing husband's defensiveness after leaving wife during surgery.

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    Comment discussing husband's actions during wife's surgery, highlighting why he's defensive.

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    Jonas Grinevičius

    Jonas Grinevičius

    Writer, Senior Writer

    Read more »

    Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

    Read less »
    Jonas Grinevičius

    Jonas Grinevičius

    Writer, Senior Writer

    Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

    What do you think ?
    Yu Pan
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not having phone on is suspicious; getting so defensive is equally suspicious. Driving a* around comment is just cruel. If Op says this is out of character of him, then his actions can lead to very limited conclusions.

    Sami-Jo Ross
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If he was hungry hospitals have vending machines. He had no excuse for leaving. Any surgery could have complications (as seen here), and the fact that he not only left but ignored phone calls is a red flag the size of Alaska. The YTAs are delusional; when my mom had to have a full hysterectomy done, both me and my dad stayed in the waiting room the entire time just because we wanted to be sure she would be okay.

    Winnowyl Daemera
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My roommate of 13 years has stayed with me for a hysterectomy, oophorectomy (doc went back for my ovaries), 2 broken ankles, and a broken leg. All of those since 2017. The abdominal surgeries were scheduled - I had a backpack that my stuff went into for him to keep, and we packed some snacks and drinks in there. He just nibbled in the waiting room and read a book. The ankles and leg were 2 incidents, 3 years apart. The first ankle went more or less according to plan. Once I went back, he dipped to the caf, grabbed a sandwich, and came back. The leg and second ankle..... the doc estimated a 3 hour surgery. It took 9 hours. He made 2 trips for snacks and drinks, but never went farther. I can't imagine my HUSBAND not staying.

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    setsuriseikou
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dear everyone with a YTA opinion regarding the OP's situation: please, please share this thread and your YTA comment with all of your loved ones, so that they know what to expect from you in a similar situation.

    Say No to Downvoting
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m not on full YTA side but I do think it was unreasonable she didn’t want him to go and get food when he hadn’t eaten all day, while she was in surgery under anaesthesia. Weird and dimwitted that he didn’t answer his phone and bizarre that he has to be so aggressive about it afterwards.

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    Yu Pan
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not having phone on is suspicious; getting so defensive is equally suspicious. Driving a* around comment is just cruel. If Op says this is out of character of him, then his actions can lead to very limited conclusions.

    Sami-Jo Ross
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If he was hungry hospitals have vending machines. He had no excuse for leaving. Any surgery could have complications (as seen here), and the fact that he not only left but ignored phone calls is a red flag the size of Alaska. The YTAs are delusional; when my mom had to have a full hysterectomy done, both me and my dad stayed in the waiting room the entire time just because we wanted to be sure she would be okay.

    Winnowyl Daemera
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My roommate of 13 years has stayed with me for a hysterectomy, oophorectomy (doc went back for my ovaries), 2 broken ankles, and a broken leg. All of those since 2017. The abdominal surgeries were scheduled - I had a backpack that my stuff went into for him to keep, and we packed some snacks and drinks in there. He just nibbled in the waiting room and read a book. The ankles and leg were 2 incidents, 3 years apart. The first ankle went more or less according to plan. Once I went back, he dipped to the caf, grabbed a sandwich, and came back. The leg and second ankle..... the doc estimated a 3 hour surgery. It took 9 hours. He made 2 trips for snacks and drinks, but never went farther. I can't imagine my HUSBAND not staying.

    Load More Replies...
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    setsuriseikou
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dear everyone with a YTA opinion regarding the OP's situation: please, please share this thread and your YTA comment with all of your loved ones, so that they know what to expect from you in a similar situation.

    Say No to Downvoting
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m not on full YTA side but I do think it was unreasonable she didn’t want him to go and get food when he hadn’t eaten all day, while she was in surgery under anaesthesia. Weird and dimwitted that he didn’t answer his phone and bizarre that he has to be so aggressive about it afterwards.

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