My friend, Mary, and I have called those our "organ recitals" for years. We usually begin all conversations with them .. and sometimes they go on longer. It is very difficult to live with illness. For those of us still working into our late 70s, there is a comfort in begin able to say it out loud. What if you and your friend - or other friends - set a time limit on 'organ recitals' and if more time is needed, permission is asked for and hopefully granted? It would be a compromise.

Sometimes, I in fact AM my neuropathy and long-covid because it has taken over so much of my time to see docs and live w/ symptoms.

I trust with friends balance can be found. I wish you that.