How did you deal with a failing body?

For those who have had chronic pain or other health problems, how long did it take for you to accept the change?

I have had a series of life-changing health problems since December of last year. My life has completely changed because of it, and the feeling of mourning what I have lost keeps creeping up. I am quite aware that there are so many people who have it worse than I do. I am not comparing my pain/condition to their’s. Rather, I am comparing it to my pre-December self.

There are certainly stories of people getting their limbs blown off in combat, and spending years in chronic pain while they try to get on with their life. Many of them appear to be present enough to just accept what is and appreciate what they have, not what they lost.

Anyway, I’m not fishing for sympathy – just some perspective from some of you who have “lost” their old self (mobility, freedom-from-pain, etc).
Thanks.

As for my health stuff: I have been unsuccessfully in treatment for a complex sleep apnea that suddenly appeared in December. I have slept very little since then, waking in the night choking and trying to breathe. A couple of months ago I developed severe back and neck pain (been doing PT for that with no results) that is now adding to my lack of sleep. I am unable to rest on a bed in any position (side or back) without severe pain. My mind is mushy and I have to pull over frequently when I am driving and do jumping jacks in order to stay awake. The pain and severe sleep deprivation is doing some crazy shit with my mind.