HAH! Kendall, you belong over in the "Misquotations" thread. The correct quote is ""Delusions are often functional. A mother's opinions about her children's beauty, intelligence, goodness, et cetera ad nauseam, keep her from drowning them at birth." (Paperback edition, Time Enough for Love, p. 241)
The frirst sentence, IMHO, is the heart of the quote.
never thirst! (double message, am following the medical advice you are getting & hope all will be OK)