Dear Helen, I'm a bit stunned at the GP's analysis of the situation, as are we all (most of all yourself of course!) but it occurs to me that she is YOUR doctor as well as Alan's, and had two patients before her. I think that, knowing you well, she felt telling you the worst-case scenario would be preferable to being 'too gentle' with you. It might have rocked you back on your heels, but she knew you'd square up to it for Alan's sake - as indeed you have.
As you've said yourself, for you 'not knowing' what might be wrong with Alan would be worse than knowing your enemy. I think your decision not to work at the moment is correct, although I think you will miss the 'distraction' it must have provided up to now.
You may note I said "what might be wrong with Alan"; no test results have confirmed the GP's theory yet, an appointment at the Respiratory Clinic (within
2 weeks 
) has yet to be made & kept, and specialist opinions obtained. Certainly the news was not good, & shocking to hear, but not a death sentence. He's poorly, certainly, but not at death's door.
I hope the pain relief prescribed so far proves effective. (You might want to look at this link ..
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/857.aspx?CategoryID=73&SubCategoryID=103, & perhaps discuss with the pharmacist or doctor) And I hope the appointment comes through quickly - although I'm sure you have already looked up the telephone number in case they need a nudge ...
.
Lots of love
