in reply to @providence1960 Thank you. I returned earlier from my friend's, after making her dinner etc. She is eating less, does not like any noise and seems more confused than ever before. I am concerned about the progression of her disease and wonder just how much longer she will be able to stay in her apartment. Understanding that I need a break, I feel awfully guilty about the thought of taking a respite, When I talk to her about the fact that I want to visit my sister, and that I will also be having outpatient surgery while at my sisters because she lives close to the facility where I will go for the procedures, she becomes visibly upset, I have assured her I will not be gone more than 5 days and that she can still call me as often as she wants. She knows that I want to see my sister, and she knows the person I have arranged to take my place for the duration of my "vacation." However, convincing her that everything is going to be okay, I can see the panic in her face, and this bothers me deeply. Hopefully, I will be able to get her to agree to having someone else come over, it will simply take some time, and I will not leave until I know that she fully accepts the fact that I do need to go to my sisters. Guilt is terrible, as we all know. I will persevere.