Here, here to 40 stinks. I went down HARD for the first time 18 days before my 40th birthday. I got a coffee cup that says "Finally 40" on one side and "I'm so happy I could puke" on the other for my birthday!
You have much to be thankful for and proud of! You obviously have a lot of love of family, common sense in taking care of yourself, and determination to not let this disease win! I truely believe that the positive attitude has so much to do with it, and they actually have some science that backs that up! Have you ever read the book "The Field" by Lynne McTaggart? It's really inspirational, although a little hard to wrap the brain around at times.
Hope you had a wonderful 41st birthday!
Becky