Man Chooses His New Job Over Attending His Wife’s Surgery, Yet When His Family and Coworkers Weigh In on His Decision, He Is Shocked by Their Response.

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When the Original Poster’s (OP’s) wife was suddenly rushed into emergency appendectomy, he found himself torn between his duty at a brand-new, well-paying job and being there for his wife’s surgery. In the heat of the moment, OP chose his job, leading to an emotionally charged conflict with his wife, who felt abandoned. Their relationship started to spiral into silence and resentment, setting the stage for an intense family drama with no clear resolution in sight.

The Sudden Onset

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OP’s 32-year-old wife suddenly started experiencing severe abdominal pain on a Saturday morning. Although initially resistant, OP insisted on taking her to urgent care. The urgent care center, deeming the situation critical, quickly transferred her to the emergency room, where they discovered she needed an immediate appendectomy.

The Family Comes Together

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Before the surgery, OP’s wife reached out to her mother, who in turn informed OP’s parents about the situation. All three parents – her mother and OP’s mother and father – gathered at the hospital to support her through the surgery. A sense of unity was formed amidst the medical crisis.

The Conflict Begins

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On the very day of his wife’s surgery, OP was due to start work at 5:00 p.m. This was a new job, high-paying, and he had only been there for a couple of weeks. Faced with this dilemma, he chose his job over being with his wife during her operation.

The Unsettling Decision

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Despite knowing that his workplace would likely understand his situation, OP was reluctant to call in sick. He lacked the paid time off, so taking the day off would have meant an unpaid day. With these constraints in mind, he decided to go to work while his wife underwent surgery.

The Fallout

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His wife was deeply upset after learning that OP had chosen work over her surgery. She felt abandoned by OP, an accusation that he deemed unfair. He defended his choice, reasoning that her surgery was routine and she had plenty of support from their parents.

Divided Opinions

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His wife’s mother and OP’s father understood his predicament and seemingly supported his decision. However, his mother disapproved, believing he should have called in sick to be with his wife. The family’s opinions were split, fueling the already growing tension.

The Silent Accusation

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OP’s wife, still recovering from her surgery, remained distant and hurt. Her accusations of abandonment were silent but palpable, and OP felt the strain in their relationship. The conflict moved from the hospital to their home, casting a gloomy shadow over their relationship.

The Surprise Revelation

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As days passed, OP discovered his wife had confided in her mother that she was scared before the surgery and had really wanted him by her side. The mother shared this with OP, further intensifying his feelings of guilt and regret.

The Friction at Work

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At work, OP’s decision began to attract whispers and judgmental glances from his colleagues who had learned about his wife’s surgery. The atmosphere at work became tense and uncomfortable, as OP found himself defending his actions to his coworkers.

The Unspoken Resentment

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OP’s wife began to withdraw, and resentment grew between them. Despite his attempts to reconcile and explain his decision, the emotional chasm continued to deepen. The conflict was no longer just about one decision but a perceived pattern of prioritizing work over their relationship.

The Strained Family Ties

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The divide in opinions caused strain within the family. OP’s relationship with his mother became frosty due to their differing viewpoints. The conflict had expanded beyond OP’s marriage and affected his family bonds.

The Emotional Confrontation

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One day, OP’s wife finally expressed her feelings of abandonment and fear. She explained that it wasn’t just about the surgery but what his decision represented to her. This emotional confrontation heightened the severity of their crisis.

The Apology

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Realizing the extent of his wife’s pain, OP apologized for his decision to prioritize work over her surgery. He admitted his error in judgment and promised to make amends. This marked a turning point in their conflict.

Was The Husband’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posted his story online for feedback. The readers in the online forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “It was important to her that you be there. That’s your wife having surgery, man. You could have taken off work.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “As long as her parents were there, and you were there before and after, it is not a big deal to me. You just started the job and would like to keep it.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “People can die during appendix surgery. There can be so many complications. How would you have felt if she died while you were at work?”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “We know there are bad workplaces and bad bosses. He could be at one. He also is new, and it could reflect badly on him to call out so soon.”