Woman Learns Her Son-in-law Is Dying, Shames Him & Steals His Chemo Thinking She 'Saved' Him

A woman disapproved of her son-in-law's treatment in his struggle with cancer. Then, a surprising action occurred, shocking him and infuriating her daughter. As a result, a perplexing question emerged: What could have caused such a dramatic turn of events?

In 2018, an anonymous man posted a startling story on Reddit's "Just No MIL" forum. He grappled with various challenges, including his mother-in-law's role in complicating matters. His fight against cancer took an unexpected twist, resurfacing for the second time. The initial encounter with cancer occurred at the age of 14, a battle he courageously won.

Life's tranquility shattered when a job-required health check revealed a harsh truth: at 30, his cancer had returned. This secondary bout targeted a new organ. At stage 2, the oncologist's prognosis was bleak, citing its aggressive, fast-spreading nature. The weight of this diagnosis was overwhelming, giving the sense that an unseen force was relentlessly pursuing his demise.

Enduring cancer a second time tested the man mentally and physically—a challenge familiar to those who've faced it. After surgery, chemotherapy was the next step. The doctors advised him to use oral chemo for home use, with hospital visits for tests and scans.

Though combing through every bin in the city wasn't an option, the audacity of her actions lingered.

With the toll of daily hospital visits and the effects of treatment, his weakened state was eased by the arrangement. Despite being on sick leave from work, the man continued to lose weight and became even more fragile.

Before his health declined, he and his wife split household duties equally. Chemotherapy's demands, especially after treatment, made chores near impossible. Despite his struggle, his wife unwaveringly supported him, prioritizing his health. Her message was clear: "Your only obligation now is not to die."

The Confrontation

During a then-recent visit, the man's mother-in-law, aware of his diagnosis, approached while he was on the couch reading. She exclaimed, "Look at that! Lying on that couch as if you're on the beach! Aren't you ashamed of yourself – a grown man and lying down in the middle of a day while your poor wife is working as a slave!"

In response, the man explained, "I just had chemo, I have a headache, I'm nauseous, I don't feel good." His MIL retorted, "A young man like you and cannot beat some silly cancer! You cannot cure yourself with those chemicals! Nature products only [sic]!"

Later, in the kitchen, OP's mother-in-law and his wife conversed. Unintentionally overhearing, the original poster caught his MIL's words, "You really shouldn't let him take that poison he's taking or he will die. It's poison otherwise he wouldn't feel so bad. Doctors nowadays are totally stupid, you should seek herbal treatments instead [sic]!"

OP's wife intervened, shutting her mom down. Recognizing MIL's lack of medical expertise, she firmly advised her to avoid topics she didn't understand.

What Did OP's MIL Do and How Did His Wife React?

The following day, as OP prepared for his scheduled morning dose of chemo, he discovered his chemo bottles missing from the bathroom cabinet. Checking with his wife, who had not moved them, they were puzzled over the disappearance episode.

Their childless and pet-less home made hiding unnecessary. A sudden recollection surfaced: his mother-in-law had requested to use the bathroom before departing the previous day. The idea that she might have taken the bottles, influenced by her disdain for chemo's potency, took hold.

Transformed into a blazing storm of fury, his wife stormed out in pursuit of an explanation. Upon her return, she recounted how his mother-in-law had confessed to seizing and discarding his chemo. Though combing through every bin in the city wasn't an option, the audacity of her actions lingered.

In her perception, she had committed a noble act, contending it wasn't cancer harming her son-in-law but the pills he took. "I got rid of them, I saved your husband and that's how you thank me, by insulting me? Better go and buy him some herbal teas [sic]!" added the MIL.

The repercussions were dire. The missed dose necessitated an immediate oncologist visit. Baffled, the oncologist inquired about the chemo he had prescribed, wondering how the man could have used them so soon. "Well, you see, doctor, my MIL stole my chemo," OP responded.

The oncologist's face displayed disbelief at the notion of pilfered chemo. The man was later prescribed new chemo bottles and a revised regimen, kept under lock and key. Despite his wife's vow to permanently exclude her mother from their home, the incident's gravity persisted.

What do you think of this story? Click here to read another story about a woman who showed her husband a private message her mother-in-law sent her, after which he stormed into his mom's house late at night.