Sounds like it's a good thing you removed alcohol from that mix.
I don't know that I would have the patience/courage/whatever it is that keeps you calling this woman your girlfriend...heck, just the 1500 miles alone would keep me from taking it past "friend." Sounds like a pretty awful story.
Your own illness will be better if you try to eliminate some of the stress you are putting on yourself. Drinking certainly would be a bad idea.
