Yes, they are. I have been going down this path for quite a while and fortunate to be able to work into it, to adjust to each restriction as it comes. My current chapter is a wammy and is tough. I am learning and finding encouragement reading discussions here. I think one thing that has been difficult for myself and certainly people around me to reconcile is that I look healthy. Only recently I've recognized I have been grieving those empty-nester years that I truly have lost in addition to the unrealistic "coulda, shoulda, gonna do someday" thoughts. It has helped to sort through them, own them and move on towards what the rest of my life has in store. My support system is strengthening as a result of my growth in this area and also as I become more confident & learning more about my health situation.