I'm afraid that your projection is wildly shortsighted. Nine years would have been quite manageable.

But, hey, I have better reasons for delay than many people have. Depression, deaths, divorce, health issues, transition, two jobs...and the topic from hell. 

Arch... that was just for a light bulb. Dissertations are harder.

The light bulb took no time at all. But now it's burned out and needs to be replaced.