Acceptance vs "Giving up"

How do you handle hope vs accepance? Are you happier now if you accept that you'll probably never get better, or does it make you feel sad or bitter?

I'm still continually surprised that I'm not better yet, even though I'm aware that recovery is rare for those of us who have been sick for a few years and are on the severe side. I think the vague background belief that I will get better keeps me sane but it also distresses me when another month/year has gone by without improving.

So I'm wondering, is it worth it to drill into my head that I'm probably going to be like this forever, and be pleasantly surprised if things do change?