The beginning, or perhaps the end

I went to the doctor with two symptoms: trouble getting to sleep and a constant high-pitched whine in my ears. So he asked about what's going on in my life and I gave him a brief background to my wife leaving me. Over time you'll get a more complete story from me and understand that it's a bit more complex than that, but the doctor could see from my tears that stress was as good a diagnosis for my symptoms as any.

Have you been there too? I think there are plenty of us -- middle aged men who have given their lives to wives they treasure, only to be abandoned.

The doctor asked if I had any thoughts of suicide. Part of the required script I suppose. But though I am devastated beyond belief, I am not desperate. It does pose a key question though: how can I survive such loss?

— Nat.