“I've had such a hard time acknowledging I even have a disease. I'm a pain in the ass I think. I think of you all the time. You have 100x the issues and you seemed to have so much more grace and patience.”

That statement is an excerpt from the email of a very dear old friend. She shared some of the happiest times of my life, and supported me during the very worst time of my life. We've drifted apart since I moved hundreds of miles away, but the bond of friendship is a strong one, no matter...