Hello, @red79 I'm Scott and while my wife did not have small vessel disease, she did have brain cancer, which caused her to look 'normal' but be unable to function normally mentally and emotionally.

All but two of our longtime (decades-long) friends could not manage my wife being ill and ghosted on us. I imagine others here can chime in with their experiences too. Two friends, who we never would have guessed, did stick with us through thick and thin. They were an incredible blessing to us! One was an elementary school classmate of my wife's and one was a work colleague of mine from a job years and years ago.

Over time a couple of these friends did confide in me that they were "just too uncomfortable" with my wife's sickness so it was easier for them to just leave our lives. One couple of more than 40 years still have not ever acknowledged to me that my wife died.

I only guess the adage is true: "Ignorance (even if feigned) is bliss" for some folks.

Luckily I found this community and it has really helped me with this.

Strength, Courage, & Peace