Question: This may seem like a bizarre question and I even hesitate to ask. I am a XXXXXXX citizen with health issues, nothing critical, but very debilitating. My primary care physician (internist) for the past 26 years retired. His announcement letter got lost in the mail and I received it one week before he left so I didn't have time to absorb it before my last appointment a couple of days before his departure. My introduction to him 26 yrs ago was a referral as for the prior 1-1/2 yrs I was sick but no specialists could diagnose anything. It turned out to be Lyme Disease and it was very emotional for me. He cured me of it but was left with clinical depression. I was devastated when I received the news of his retirement and have cried over it off and on for a week. He is a fine doctor and I always had utmost faith in him. He just called to go over my last tests and I was my cheery self but when I hung I had a good cry. My question - am I over the top with this?

I've had a lot of losses this past year or so and I thought this is another loss, but I feel as though a loved member of my family died. I always called him "my main man" because he took care of the majority of my medical needs except where a specialist was needed. It's kind of like abandonment.