Thank you both for your kind words. I am a filing fiend, from when I used to work, so you can believe that I've kept everything. It really helped to do so. I even used some of the paperwork from the private disability insurance case to argue the federal case, and my judge noted one of them as evidence for approving my case. So you are absolutely right.
It has taken a huge weight off of my shoulders - I feel that I can finally live now, and it feels so validating for them to acknowledge what I already knew - that this condition has rendered me unable to support myself financially, due to physical limitations beyond my control.
Thanks again, to everyone here.
Lily