But after 15 years, I can't keep reacting in the same sort of immediate-crisis-panic mode.

Steph, I think it's perfectly reasonable to react to each new development independent of all the others. While the big picture may be a continuum, each time you get news, something changes for you and your family.

I'm so sorry your Dad is going through another round of heart troubles, Tep, and that your co-workers aren't being more supportive. Tell them your invisible friends in the glass box said to take you out to lunch.

{{{Teppy}}}

You're not evil. I do, however, wish I could cross your co-workers with my co-worker who ALWAYS asks how I'm doing WRT my mom's cancer treatment and some other assorted issues I confided in her about ONCE, and sometimes, you know, yeah, I'm worried, but all I really want to do is finish this one important piece of work so I can catch the 4:45 bus instead of the 5:00 so I'll have time to swing by the post office before the daycare pick-up, and how can I make her get out of my WAY without seeming like I don't CARE about my own mother? Because if we could just get to a happy medium between ignoring and too concerned, life would be a lot better.

ION, off to my meeting with New Boss. Gulp.

Good luck, Susan! I'm sticking with the theory that it's all about your new boss being sensitive to (a) her blunder and (b) wanting to work out with you a way that's good for everyone. Nothing bad there.

Boss~ma to you, Susan.

And, Tep, everyone else has already said everything I would've, so I'll just throw my punctuation on the pile. ((())) with a side of {{{}}}

good luck Susan!

Teppy, I'm sorry your dad is in the hospital. And, you're not evil. You're scared and stressed and I wish I were there to take you to lunch!

Since I'm not, my advice is to go home for lunch and get your Ativan. Do it for us both!

Oh, how much do I love Fay? An awful lot.

Congratulations, Jars! A thing with your name on it! Awesome!

Oh, Tep, I'm so sorry. I hope your co-workers are trying to give you space and just being kind of clueless rather than heartless beasts, but either way it's tough on you. Whatever their motivation, you are not to be blamed for being ticked. The next person who gives you a casual "Hey, how ya doing?" can be unloaded upon with any emotional release you want - they asked. There's no overreacting when your dad's in the hospital again - your reaction is yours and as powerful as it needs to be.

Good meeting, Susan!

I generally don't mind people asking after Hubby--though I tend to the "I'd rather not discuss this" end--but I do object when people not in my supervisory chain and whom I've not told anything to come up and say, "And how's your husband?" This indicates that me and mine are the subject of gossip, which enrages me. If you're not someone I normally talk to, I don't want to know that you think my life is any of your business.

And I feel like a big baby and hugely self-entitled bitch from hell for being annoyed and a little hurt that nobody said anything when I'm obviously upset.

You're not a big baby, nor is it entitlement to expect that people you've worked with for years, in your small office, would say something, or even just silently bring you a box of Kleenex.

I would totally silently bring you a box of Kleenex, btw.

{{Tep}}

I'm meeting #5 tonight. Turns out she likes Heroes. Or, as she called it, Hero's.