happy birthday to me (kinda long)

[sugerbear]

had my birthday party at our daughters house(it's always a few days late b-day is 12-31). had great time got to play with the grandkids alot.


got an oil temp dip stick for the valk from my buddy. #2 son came home to see us also.

now the down side

i go wed for my second infusion of "remecade", and still taking methotrexate for rhumatoid arthritis
anything over 20 on the blood test was a positive for rhumatoid, my test showed 232. dr said it was a very aggressive form
have it in both feet, ankles, right knee, left shoulder, and both hands and wrists.

haven't worked in a few months but doing ok money wise.

the drugs make me very tired and with little stamana. (both drugs are used in chemotherapy for ca)

not looking for sympathy, just wanting to talk

will be checking out disability path soon. any suggestions?

well, thanks for listening. i'll go back to hanging out.

[NITRO]

I don't know what kind of outcomes you're looking at right now, but I hope the very best for you.

[HayHauler]

Happy Birthday Sugerbear!!!  I don't have any grandkids yet, but yours sure are cuties.  Good luck with the rhumatoid arthritis. 

Hay 
Jimmyt

[highcountry]

So sorry to hear that Sugerbear.  Hopefully the medication can arrest the progression of the disease and keep you in the saddle of your Valk.

[sugerbear]

i'm told its incureable, just trying to stop the destruction where it is now.

i can still walk ok(just not too far), can ride the valk(don't know how far yet)
can't start IV's anymore (fingers don't move like they used to)
i'm a ct and special procedures x-ray tech so i need to be able to do that.

BUT, every day i wake up without dirt in my face is a good one

and yes i'm in heaven when my grands are climbing all over me!!

[wildthang1949]

Man, I know the feeling, as I have had this stuff for over 15 years. I take metho plus naproxen and a couple of other drugs. The key is finding what will work for you, as they have a bunch of new{also very expensive] drugs out there. About all I can tell ya is to follow  your Dr's orders and keep all your appointments for him to monitor your blood numbers. I was disabled by social security 10 years ago as I just was not able to continue working. Again, your Dr can be the key to getting your disability approved, so get his thoughts on this also. Whatever ya do, don't give up and just sit down. Keep as busy as your possibly can, such as very light exersize, walking or indoor whirlpools. As someone pointed out there is no cure, but when they get the right treatment for you, life can still be really good. Good luck, and any info I can give ya that will help, just let me know....... 

[Gilligan]

Sugerbear, we're sorry to hear the news.  We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

[Popeye]

First, belated happy birthday.  All I can suggest is to follow the Doc's orders.  May take a while to get
the meds right.  Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Popeye

[sugerbear]

just got back from being pumped full of drugs. think i'll go to bed now. if...........i can get my big butt outa this chair
feel like i been run over.

night all

P.S. snowing like crazy here, expecting more overnight.

[Karen]

Sorry to hear what you're going through, sounds like others with some knowledge are giving good advice, which I have none of, just good wishes & hoping for the best for you.