oh Yalinda, Yalinda! i will totally embrace you in the arms of denial! 
LOL.
**sometimes ya gotta live off of it for a wee bit**
but professionally speaking, you're way past denial. why? you're taking control and you're aware. might not seem or feel like it, but you've already got a lot of ammo under your belt! and hold on to it...you'll need it.
humor goes a LOOOONG way. probably the best coping mechanism.
the hardest thing that comes with RA are those acute periods that come suddenly; an increase of severe pain/swelling/fever/fatigue etc 
... and those? they can be short lived or sometimes even last weeks or months. there is no book or pamphlet or anything that makes this easier. but here...HW makes it easier. we're all in the same boat. more insight, education, and healing goes on among people who have RA that talk together than probably anywhere else.
go through the threads here and even go back through the archives. it's helpful. sometimes you'll read your life, but it's written by someone else!
i've been dealing with RA over a decade and been through many meds. just the past year i finally got a decent medication regime that JUST started to help get a grip on the RA (also have Crohns).
RA affected my lungs and heart too. (i wonder if it can effect the brain? 
mmmm? LOL...would explain many half a** things we do! LOL)
it's an hour by hour thing some times living with RA. please, post whenever & whatever. you've come across a great crew!
sincerely,
erin