Yeah Moosey, I've experienced some similar situations.
I felt so blessed to have work friends I stayed in touch with and I make sure I make the necessary efforts and don't talk in depth about my disease.
Still, I feel them slipping away. Family, well, they're in denial and just don't
get it & maybe don't want to. My husband is the exception, he gets it but
you know there's only so much he can deal with.
I've become very attached to this group (maybe too much so) for that reason.
Ironically, I can't handle too much typing at one time & it's slow & tedious at that.