Sweety,
I did the same with a pan of sugar solution for the hummingbird feeder - and sat in the next room without smelling the caramel burning until the house was full of smoke - I'm lucky it did not catch fire. And I did not receive chemo, just radiation.
So I'm with Sabrina - I think it is either the stress or else just me - no, it's not the first pot that I have ruined.
Leena