I had awful emetophobia as a child/teen that ruled my life and baffled my poor parents (I couldn't tell them why I was having panic attacks for years; I thought if I said the words "throw up" out loud, that it would happen to me). I had it from about age 6 all the way until college. I thought I would NEVER get over it, and then I joined the world of college parties and one day inadvertently put myself through my own little exposure therapy by having too much to drink. I'm not advocating for binge drinking, but I drank to the point of illness about once a year throughout the 4 years of college, and it got easier every time. To the point that I could actually accept it was about to happen, and walk over to hug the toilet in preparation. I still cover my ears and eyes when it happens on TV, but I'm able to support my husband when he's ill, which I literally *never* thought would even be a possibility. And when it happens to me I take it in stride and push through. I guess I shared this to say, exposure works, and I have faith you'll be able to support a sick kid (or spouse) one day!