Expect ups and downs, setbacks and bad decisions. It happens, but I think what helped me was being on this site and reading, rereading and even writing down things I didn't want to forget or wanted to remind myself of.

I'm glad you have a good friend who has been through this. She will help. I had friends going through similar experiences at the same time and that helped tremendously. We'd do walks and have coffee at Starbucks together. In the midst of something really difficult and painful, those were some great times. Hold onto "silver linings"! They are there!!!

There is no arriving, ever. It is all a continual becoming.