Hello MC1980.  I wasn't quite sure how to read your post at first then I realised you were probably not saying to your partner - when he was feeling really ill - bye-bye for now I am out with the girls this evening.  Then I reckoned you were talking more generally and wanted to know if it was okay to take a bit of time out for yourself sometimes.  And the answer is yes; you need a break occasionally and as long as your partner has the care he needs - family members and friends? - it would probably be a good thing for you.  Just my opinion anyway.  You need to be able to talk frankly with each other and your  partner would be unlikely to begrudge you a bit of light relief.  Don't know if this helps.  Annie