Yes, the "me, me, me" thing can be very annoying. I don't mind when people go through bad spells and need to get things off their chests but when people have no thought or concern for any one else, that's aggravating. Obviously, if someone is going through a crisis, that's different and I certainly don't mind lending a sympathetic ear but if they are constantly only concerned with themselves that is very wearying. People who don't take time to listen or don't read e-mails thoroughly (not that I'm perfect, by any means) or who seem to always want you to respond to their woes but but never respond to yours just make me roll my eyes. I think it's pure selfishness.

Which, of course, is why my answer to this is "my mother" -- because she is one of those people (at least with me) who wants everything to revolve around her and when that goes on day after day, it just tries one's soul. When you know things are going to be the same until her last breath, it is very draining. And, if I'm experiencing any other sort of crisis, the stress with her is still there -- I can't put it aside until I'm finished solving the other problem -- so there's never a time when I can exhale and say everything has been dealt with because it's ongoing. On our trip, I was hearing about things that were going on at home so even then, I didn't get to escape it totally.