Sue, I had an idea that you were going to feel the guilt trip, it was just a matter of when.
Hubby having health issues will add to that feeling and there's no getting away from it, your hubby will not be feeling overjoyed about not feeling wanted in his own home.
He must be incredibly considerate and love you to accommodate such a wish.
I can think of many a husband that wouldn't entertain that at all.
But, you can't help the way you feel and he just wants you to be happy.
The danger in a request like that is obviously guilt and that can sometimes be more gut wrenching than the original request. My thoughts automatically point to if anything happened to hubby, you would be left with those days he drove off for no particular reason but to your request.
I witnessed this a lot with my mum and dad and it became very hostile as time moved on to the point of hardly speaking to each other, which is something I presume you do not want to happen to you.
You can't take back what has been said just as much as hearing someone's grievances, but you can explain in more detail that it's more about you and not about your marriage.
I always think a woman maketh a home and therefore it becomes her nest. Most of the time the husband goes along or accepts the new decor, the furnishings, the nick nacks. And most women have routin and when that's upset it makes competent wife into grumpy wife.
I'm not saying you are grumpy, but it might appear that way to hubby and therefore he will have two reasons to leave the house for a peaceful life.
I'm telling it as I see it, no frills or wrapped up in a bow.
There could be many silences and awkwardness in the household if you fall into a pattern where by hubby has to somewhat wander the streets or hang around an office whiling the time away.
Personally I think that problem lies with your routine being turned upside down and the readjustment to that is far more difficult than you realised.
Don't get me wrong, I perfectly understand how you feel and I sometimes snap when my other half has been sitting on the sofa next to me on his I pad for hours on end and just the tippy tapping on his keyboard makes me want to scream. But I try to curb my thoughts and irritation and go and do something in a different room or ask him if he wouldn't mind mowing the lawn or something like that.
He can also tell if he is irritating me without saying anything and might comment, "would you like me to leave the house completely?" or "would you prefer it if I stopped breathing altogether?" Do you see where I am going with this? I'm just being honest and I've had to work at my irritations and work a manageable life around them.
Don't think you are that abnormal, I know quite a few women who find their other halves irritating being home all day and the thoughts of us eventually retiring to even make our home our work life substitute is very common.
My advice and it is only my personal opinion is to try and prevent yourself from feeling guilty at the same time for your hubby feel like he is not wanted.
This is something you have to work out for yourself with a slightly constructed new routine. Have you ever thought, your hubby may even want time alone in the house too.
Try to explain that the adjustment has been incredibly hard for you and given time it will settle once you have found that new adjustment. But try not to let it get to a stage like this lady I know......
Her husband is disabled after a stroke and is in the house 24/7. He can walk with the aid of a walker to the toilet, Bedroom and sofa. He has the tv on all day and mainly sport and has short term memory. He can't wash himself, dress himself and cook for himself.
His wife is resentful for the way he has become as she had dreams of that 'perfect' retirement.
She doesn't have conversations with him only to tell him he has dribbled, talking rubbish, had the tv on too long, not tucked his shirt in or got up too early as it was her time to herself. The wife spends hours sitting in the garden or shed or bedroom from pure agitation constantly asking why this has happened to her. She fills her life with many visitors, even a book club, be friends people to sit with her husband so she doesn't have to and goes to every invitation going.
The situation is still there and it still haunts her and she still tries to find happiness.
The problem is she has not accepted the situation, she holds her husband responsible for her lack of happiness and constantly wants to be alone.
Her husband has no idea how she feels, but thinks she is happy.
The point is......
She is seeing her long time husband as a burden in her life now and no matter what she does and where she goes, she still resents the situation. The real problem is in her head and the love she once had has turned in to anger.
This lady still does everything in her life that she wants to do and still she has resentment and wants to be on her own. The situation won't change until he dies or he is sent to a care home which he has refused to do, (the carehome). So the lady has become resentful.
But this lady has easily forgotten that their once was a very happy and wealthy marriage and all the things in the house was provided by her husband. And how would she feel if the boot was on the other foot?
Life ain't a bed roses most of the time, I've learned that very quickly after spending a decade caring for 3 parents and not having a life to myself.
But without compassion, the world will be a vile place and sometimes you just have to say, "ok, life has dealt me this hand, it's not great, but I'll make the most of it and grab my moments". Otherwise your life will be one long misery. And no situation lasts forever! But don't hold someone else's life ransome to your own happiness.
And the lady I was telling you about. Well, she's a top psychiatrist in London charging loads of money to apparently give sound advice to people like us.