Happy belated birthday, Erin! I'm sorry it was a tough day for you.

I think the hardest part with any illness is acceptance because you can never fully get rid of the physical problem and your mind will always want to do what you used to. There are days when I miss things like road trips so much I can hardly stand it.

For me, I now love days that are so routine that they are almost boring. Why? Because it means nothing new health-wise is getting in my way. There's been a lot of that for me in the past 10 years. I just enjoy the simple pleasures like watching new birds come to the feeders in the spring. And hobbies.

I think the most important things I do every day - and this may sound selfish - are to pamper myself as much as possible. Make myself feel good. Whether it's music or painting my toe nails or watching a good movie.

You're so young . . . just enjoy every single day as much as you can. And when that doesn't work, have a room where you can throw pillows and scream and rant and rave, while everyone else is outside!

Annie