It's Enbrel for me and it does help, but isn't a miracle drug.  I think it's
that old PA vs. RA bug-a-boo again.  stubborn PA just doesn't seem to have
miracle drugs as often.  But the Enbrel has definitely improved my energy
levels and reduced my morning stiffness, etc.  I get more done and feel
better overall, just not as much as I dreamed of!  (heck, I had dreams of
being able to get through the day without a nap but I can't, so I guess I'm
still in my second childhood!)  My RD's contemplating reducing the mtx to see
what happens.  Having never had this degree of control of either the PA or
the Ps before on one DMARD alone, I'm not sure it'll work.  We'll see.   I'd
even be wiling to give arthur my *good* sleeping bag!

I'll drop KJ a note as she's probably not watching ASA too closely these
days.  I was thinking some folks had had synovectomies on their hands, but it
might be some of the folks who are currently otherwise occupied.  If it gives
me back real use of my thumbs again, it'll be worth it!  Even Mike's noticed
the "ouch"es are slipping out more often and he's accustomed to hearing them.

it's mostly that my thumbs have only been reasonably good for a few scattered
months out of the last 5.5 years.  I could work around it more with any other
finger, but the opposable thumbs really were a step forward in evolution and
even all my work-arounds aren't enough now.  Naturally, everything I love
doing uses the hands a lot.  Even holding on to books to read them is a
hassle.  sigh.............  

Oh and one of our vestries (governing body of the local parish in the
Episcopal church) discovered this week that our bathroom needs major work.  
Next meeting where they can approve the expenditure is 10/19 so sometime
after that our upstairs bathroom will most likely be torn up.  Until then, we
have a (small) hole through the floor looking into the basement, serving as a
warning not to step in that area as we don't know how much more of the
subflooring is rotten.  Too much drama.  (Been leaving the basement bathroom
to Mike as he likes to shower there anyway.  I need to see if it's tolerably
clean before they tear up the upstairs one - especially if my thumbs are in
recovery when this happens.  Maybe I'll just fly down to visit my mom while
they do the work!)

Mike asked that too.  I have no idea.  I must admit I don't want to have to
drive over to Petoskey TOO many times for surgery, even though Mike will be
doing the driving.  He does see patients in Cheboygan also, which is closer,
but I don't know if he operates there.  Their hospital is *really* small too
and I don't know how far I trust them.  Then again, Petoskey's hospital's
nurses now hold the record for the longest organized strike in the labor
movement....

At least our congregations should be understanding about him needing to take
me over there - they've become quite accustomed to seeing me in my thumb
braces.

You need thumbs for that?????  I've barely used my thumbs in that capacity
for some time now.  The real trick is keeping your thumb braces clean.  (I
can do that, but sometimes it's easier just to take the brace off.)  Hmmm,
may need gloves to wear though to make sure the incision stays clean!

Just realized, Mike will *definitely* have to do the dishes for a while if I
get this done, heehee.  (he always talks about how he loves to wash dishes,
but doesn't actually do them more than about 35-40% of the time)