It DOES get better. Once you get over the initial shock of learning you're a candidate for the complications of high cholesterol, you can do what you need to do for yourself and your family. When I think of straying I remember my doctor's jolting admonition: "You have three goals: no heart attack, no stroke and no death". It can't get more blunt than that.
Don't think you have to do it all at once. Concentrate on a few areas at a time. Believe it or not, when you make the lifestyle change in diet, you don't even want the "taboo" items.
I'm 5 years in with hypertension, high cholesterol, an enlarged heart, and coronary artery disease. 4 years ago, I added diabetes. My family history definitely has kicked in! I do understand about not being ready to leave your family. I have a nearly 18 year old son with autism and a husband of 24 years. I'm only 47 and 4'11" and 105 lbs. so not your typical profile.
