Thank you all so much for your support. I am feeling a lot better. Just knowing that this is "ok". That this is not "crazy" is less stressful. I haven't seen or heard from "Catherine" since, but at some level the knowing that Catherine exists is comforting. The idea that a part of me was there to stand up for me is soothing. So perhaps that is all she wanted me to know. For now.. that I need to take care of myself too. I don't think I would have too much trouble accepting a part of myself that looks out for me.. I just want her to understand that I got it.. I get it .. I can handle it.. but perhaps that is exactly what got me into this mess - I need to understand there are times I can't handle it all - alone.

Thanks again everyone for all your help... It's good to have a place like this to turn too...