Hi,... and
Welcome to KA! 
I'm sorry you've had to suffer through so many years without a diagnosis. That's an awfully long time. It is a scary thing to wrap your mind around, but having a name for it at least helped you find this huge group of us who really do understand what you've been going through all these years. I've had AS for 24 yrs and battled the nasty iritis too. Not fun stuff.
Perhaps with this dx your family will begin to reach a new level of understanding. No-one should have to feel alone and unsupported and especially not when fighting some disease that most people haven't even heard of... and that's what makes this place so great - an instant sense of belonging.
Take care,
