Mojo-- brava for the move, for taking care of yourself and DD, and for imagining a better future. I totally understand the embarrassment and not wanting others to know how lame your partner is. Many hugs to you.
Hairdog, when your W asked, "do you want me to stick around?" what did you say. I definitely agree that she should have stayed without being asked.
When I had my ankle surgery, bf stayed until they wheeled me into the area where he couldn't go (and then my surgery was delayed by an hour for an emergency, and I was stuck listening to Christmas muzak... who knew "Mary's Boy Child Jesus" had, like, a ZILLION verses?). When I woke up, he and his daughter were there to greet me in the recovery room. Meant a LOT to me.
