I was like 30 or so when my late husband became sick. it was the hardest thing in my life I had or have had to go thru in my life. yes I felt like a part of me was lost. his illness I could handle. it was the alcohol abuse that got me. that and his addiction to his medications. mostly the alcohol I could not deal with. I finally started getting sick myself from being around it 24/7 and I do mean 24/7. he would take a 6 pk to bed and get up to get more. I do advise you to get some counseling for yourself. I wish I had done it.