Things I don't have:
- Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (an autoimmune liver disease with an average survival time of 1-4 years)
- Celiac Disease
- Significant problems with my lungs (Monday's chest X-ray looked fine)
- Enough time, money, energy, and emotional fortitude to keep on dealing with random health concerns in addition to my everyday chronic illness
Things I do have:
- Gilbert's Syndrome (a benign liver condition in which my liver doesn't properly process bilirubin)
- Very minor pleural effusions ("not clinically significant," probably just an inflammatory process related to my AS)
- Ankylosing spondylitis. Still.
- A part-time job that accommodates numerous medical appointments; access to good medical care (even if it's a bit complicated and time-consuming); a supportive family; a God who is always faithful
All things considered, I think I still come out ahead.
