Happy Birthday, Marge!

[Guest guest]

I'm wishing you an early Happy Birthday, Marge! 55, 56 - who's counting?

I read the stories about you and your friends and the lake trips with

much interest, even somewhat wistfully, especially since I grew up in

ton, Illinois and spent many a day at Lake Michigan. I'm sorry that

you are feeling frustrated because your body isn't cooperating with your

desires, but it sounds as if your friends are wonderful.

My apologies for not answering your questions of a few days ago. Here

goes:

I do think that Remicade is a very good idea. You could even just add it

to the methotrexate you are currently taking. No, I don't think you

should " save " it for later. There are other treatments coming, and you

want to preserve your joints and have the best quality life you can NOW.

If your physician thinks Remicade is a good idea for you and your

insurance will cover it, I would do it.

I have an RA diagnosis, among others. Since there has been no consensus

among the physicians I've seen, I reside in what we have referred to in

the past here as No Definite Diagnosis Hell (NDDH) and have been there

since the end of 1996. I believe the RA diagnosis is incorrect, but am

ever hopeful that someday whatever connective tissue disease problem I

have declares itself more precisely. I'm 43, a divorced mother of three,

and I'm quite fortunate that thus far I am only mildly affected.

Hope you are having a good day today!

Re: [ ] RE: Nice story

> Two days later, my friends picked me up and took me to a local lake

that you

> walk straight in from the car. grass all the way to the beach and in

the

> water! It didn't have the waves; but I got in the water...yes I am

lucky to

> have such great friends! Of course uncl arthur kicked in, and I seem

to be

> in a flare up again, fingers and feet are swollen, sleepless nights

the

> last few nights...oh well, probably the water was cold, and I didn't

nap

> through the days...it's my birthday Thursday. I was telling people I

will

> be 55...whoops, I will be 56! a whole year I had the wrong year in

> mind...oh well, I do count my blessings...glad to be walking this

year

> compared to last where I couldn't at all...still working too! still

> considering remicade...see my rheumy in Oct and let her know

then...any

> further incite on remicade appreciated...thanks for your

thoughts...hope you

> are having a ra free day...marge