How do you cope the facts that you’re aging and developing health issues?

At 29, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and didn’t think much of it until I started reading a few papers and realized that, on average, I have 6 less years of life than I would if I didn’t. Increased risk of heart issues, developing cancers from the treatments, etc. Since then, I’ve been quite obsessive about staying on top of my meds and trying to remain mobile and healthy.

A few months ago (aged 31), I found lumps in my neck which have grown a bit. Thyroid nodules which need to be removed surgically. So I’m adding another med to list of life-long friends. On top of this fact, I don’t even know if they are cancerous. In the midst of this, I’m currently in an arthritic flare because I stopped my meds in anticipation of my surgery. Just another reminder that I’m chronically ill now.

I guess it wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t trying to finish grad school and get my career started but I can feel myself slipping into depression. Like sheesh, I really am doing this thing called aging and it’s expected that health things pop up. I guess I expected them to hit hard in my 40s - not now. :/