do you ever ask yourself...

Man, A GirlFriend or Boyfriend would solve so many of my problems?

Nope...
My analogy...they whipped creme on top of hot chocolate. You know, hot chocolate is so yummy and delicious without the whipped creme, that that whipped creme makes it extra delicious...so much better...however, if that creme has turned bad, it can make the whole cup of hot chocolate bad and it would have been better the just have the hot chocolate without the whipped creme...

What I know for sure, having a significant other does not really solve problems. They can be great wonderful add to your life, but they do not solve problems.
Of course, you think that way, you are 22, that is what you are suppose to think at 22.

I think having a man in my life would really just compound my problems!

At 22 there are certain things that would make your day brighter, someone to hug and hold, etc.. etc.. is obviously one of them.

They cannot make your problems go away, but they can balance them out.

My rule for years was, It takes a mighty fine man (woman) to be better than no man (woman) at all. And in the mean time I made friends, got out and sometimes even got some "fun."

I had my periods when I too felt to sick to engage in a relationship, and I also chose to be single for the first couple of years after entering remission, to enjoy myself this way. Fun :)

I didn't get married until I was in my 40's, it's not even 2 years ago. Tell ya one thing, the mighty fine man is better than the others, and of course, better than no man at all, but no man at all was much better for me, especially when I was so sick, than a guy who didn't get me or my situation.

One thing I learned along the way, to give myself the love attention and comfort that I wanted from a partner, which was not so easy to do at first, but it made me recognize what I needed and I didn't settle for less in this way.

Your 22 on your better days, get out there, find the love in the simple things. I'm sure your mighty fine woman will show up as long as you stay open to it.

Inoculate yourself from loneliness by finding and being a good friend.

Hang in there :)

While having love in your life does not give you the answers to all of the problems or heal your disease, it can certainly help with the emotional pain. Of course it honestly depends on the partner and his or her ability to cope with and support your battle. Some people truly can not understand or choose to not understand the pain and sickeness toll that this disease can have on you. It is also important when you have a significant other in your life to support them and not too consumed in your own life that you forget their needs. I was married 8 years ago when I was 22 years old and I have not regretted it since. Having her in my life has helped me think of someone else besides myself and helped me appreciate someone more than I ever thought that I could. The fact that she went to work fulltime after I had been supporting us and that she is now seeking a second degree to pursue a job in nursing to give us a better life, tells me that someone truly cares for me. She is only 27 years old and could easily be living a much easier life than what she has now and I have always given her to option to leave without any bitterness. She chooses to stay which causes me to choose to fight harder and I love her for that.
So no love does not solve everything but love with the right person means everything. Bill Mahar put it best when he said," True love is like a Toyota, once it starts you can stop it." and I am out. lol