I treat a lot of people at my hospital and when they get sick suddenly all that pomp about being free and independent is replaced by tears, loneliness, and depression at facing illness alone.

I'm a male and often I can tell the middle aged and older women love my company because they biologically want a husband to be there for them. Instead I rush through my tasks and smile and nod while they talk, but I've got other sick people to tend to. They just sit in bed and languish asking for things so they aren't alone.