You’re not alone, my friend, and you’re doing brilliantly, the best you can. That’s all a person can do. My wife knows what it’s like to be a single mother, as I’ve been out of the picture and in bed now for years. She does it all, and she does get sad and lonely, too. Completely normal given the circumstances.

I can’t even begin to tell you how isolating this illness is, as I spend all my time in a room alone, with occasional visits downstairs to see my family, or them up in my room for a few. That’s the extent of it. It feels like my wife and I divorced 9 years ago, when I became chronically ill.

Anyway, I’m not trying to make this about myself. It’s just to say that I feel you, and I hope things get a bit rosier. If you have a person or two in your life you’re relatively close with and can talk to, that always helps, I find. Nobody likes being alone and having to do it all. But confiding in people who truly care about you and want the best for you will always make things a little easier.

If I were there, I’d tell you dumb jokes to cheer you up and help you assemble your store-bought furniture (hopefully not IKEA). Hang in there, Claire.