To simplify, with my condition, if I chose to just stay in bed for the rest of my life because that makes it easier to deal with the pain, I would be ill.

I understand self care. I have learned measures to make my pain more bearable and to maximize my daily functioning. I am not ill.

After Thanksgiving, I had a really bad cold and could barely function, Every cough brought some urinary incontinence and I could barely haul myself to the bathroom to change my pjs. The laundry piled up and I could not even imagine getting well enough to worry about doing the laundry. Then, I was ill.

On a happy note, I spent so much in bed that week, my pain was much better