I'm so sorry to hear all of this Kathy. It sounds like a lot of the stress lately has taken it's toll on Evie and her positivity. May I ask why Evie feels embarrassed/humiliated here? My thinking is that it is at these very times that Evie may benefit from a chat/venting post or two, and some support. There are a lot of people here who care about her. I sometimes think she may not actually know this.... so please let her know that I care, and I know she has other friends here that she has closer contact with that also care a lot about her.
I hope you don't mind me speculating here, but I wonder if Evie tried so hard to be positive that she simply wore herself out? Because although positive attitude is absolutely important to keep up in tough times, sometimes there is no getting away from the depressive reality of some things and in those situations perhaps she needs to allow herself sad/negative feelings because those are natural and equally important and deserving acknowledgement and compassion from herself?
The appendix, then following surgery on her bowel, Colin being in Afghanistan, the suicide bomber, the grieving process and everything else... I simply couldn't expect anybody to stay on top of things, let alone somebody with PTSD on top.
Please let Evie know from me that I don't think she has anything to be ashamed of, or feel humiliated by at all... she is and has done a wonderful job of late keeping herself as healthy as possible. She is not to blame for her recent setback. It is the very nature of PTSD and stress to drag us down and make us crash, no matter how hard we try, when stressful life events are beyond our control. Stress does this to everyone eventually. It is not her fault that she is struggling, life has been giving her a hard hand out recently and there is nothing she could do about that. Things will get better. But I also think learning to cope with setbacks is also a part of keeping herself healthy... learning to let some things ride out, and learning to accept herself (not blame herself) when she is in a setback is as important as 'doing well'.
However, I can certainly understand why she would feel defeated right now. Life just doesn't let up for her these last few years, does it?
And how are you holding up Kathy? Things are so very hard for you too, and your family... I am glad you come here for the support and venting space.
Sending my thoughts to Evie, you, Jim and the whole family.
Best wishes
Lisa.