Hi. My name is Cady, and I have arthritis and cataracts.

Oh, yeah, and I’m only 31 years old. I’ve always said that I’m an 31-year-old trapped in an 80-year-old’s body, and now I’m feeling it more than ever. As you all probably know, I have rheumatoid arthritis. I was diagnosed when I was 20, and I’m on a cocktail of meds to help keep it under control. And, because of my arthritis, I get to go take water aerobics classes at the senior aquatic center — as in senior CITIZEN aquatic center. Sigh.

Last Friday, I had my annual eye exam, and, since it was my first time seeing this optometrist, I told him that I had been told last year that I had cataracts. He told me that was highly unlikely given my age but, when he looked at my eyes, he confirmed that I do indeed have cataracts. Right now because of them, I’m barely seeing 20/20 with correction. He told me that if it gets to the point of seeing 20/30 or worse with correction, I’ll be looking at cataract surgery. Seriously. At 31 years old. Oh yeah…and guess what caused my cataracts — my arthritis meds!

See? I’m a freaking 80-year-old. I hate to think of what will happen next.