Hiya,
I can't really offer much support, but I just wanted to say, that having CF I have been feeling very much this way myself. Though haven't done anything about it, as it might just be temporary due to feeling rubbish and another friend with CF only 8 days older than myself passing away recently.
I get upset when I'm coughing so hard, that not only do I have yucky mucus flying about, but blood in it. Coughing that hard that unless I get to a toilet very very quickly and continue my coughing fit and a good physio session in there, I wet myself. I'm breathless and can't carry out much of a conversation without coughing and spluttering, so hardley talking much. Luckily my hubby isn't much for walking or going out anyway, but I am one of those people, and I just can't do it. And fair enough all this doesn't sound THAT bad now, but it's only going to get worse, and how about when I'm on the edge on 24 hour oxygen in a wheelchair, waiting for a double lung transplant.
I'm finding all this hard, so how can I expect anyone else to go through all this with me. I don't want my hubby to feel trapped, and I know I should have thought about this when we got married, but 3 years ago things were better than this.
I'm trying to get more independant, at college learning how to be an IT tutor so I have something to do mostly. I don't see myself actually able to do this job anymore. I wouldn't be able to cope when ill and I can't make my voice loud enough anymore to control a class. I'm ignoring my health right now, as I know theres only a week of college left. But, how about when I actually have a career and people relying on me, I couldn't have time off and I also couldn't just ignore my health for a couple of weeks as I have done this time, as it's only going to make my health deteriorate quicker. I feel useless really.
There seems to be no simple answer to this, except to continue to offer love and support, and hope that the person with CF doesn't feel like they are protecting you. I think that's the biggest emotion-protection. I don't want anyone to feel the pain that I feel, it feels horrible. :(