there are health things you have control over, but once you've done everything reasonable (not everything perfectly!) you have to just let go. What you have control over is basic things like diet and exercise and not overdoing things. You also have some control over backing away from things which create anxiety and stress - keep those things to an unavoidable minimum. Without wrapping yourself in cotton wool there are things you can do to see that your health isn't unnecessarily prejudiced, but your approach needs to be balanced and reasonable because life is ultimtely for living.

I think Anhata's reminder of the Serenity Prayer isn't a bad one. Print it out and stick it all over the house, especially next to the computer.

chronic illness isn't just a steep learning curve... there's a steep learning curve at the beginning and lots more over the years with a few more steep ones along the way too. We all have to learn to let go, especially let go of perfection and control and other personality disorders that cripple us far more than any illness ever could.

hang in there Lynn. Acquire some happy Spring flowers and you'll find a smile, I guarantee!

Kerri.