I sure don't post much :-(

[Guest guest]

Dear All -- I don't post much but I do read a lot. I'm still working full

time and trying to help my mother who is 88 and do the usual house and pet

things. I've been taking enbrel with my Mtx for about 3 months -- of

course, I got a bad cold that lingered 2 weeks and threatened to turn into

pneumonia so I'm off the enbrel till I'm well. Sigh. It was really making

a difference. I finally got on antibiotics and hope I'll shake this soon.

You know... I'm exhausted a lot and have trouble focussing too -- this is a

huge problem with work because I have a Very demanding job with very

critical bosses. I didn't associate it with the Mtx because I've had

periodic exhaustion from clinical depression and then from Lyme disease and

it's side effects for years. The Mtx Enbrel combination was working well

enough that I don't want to switch though.. I guess I'd best just start

getting more sleep. I push myself too hard, often.

I'm retiring January 7. I've worked for the state of RI and the University

long enough that I get my medical fully paid for; unfortunately hubby will

lose his but he does have some coverage through his tribe (Lakota, i.e.

Sioux... ) and also some veteran's coverage. I worry because he survived

liver cancer and major surgery 4 years back -- ooops no it's 5 years now and

I didn't realize he wouldn't stay covered. However both my health and the

need to help my Mom require me to go ahead with retirement -- plus of course

I Want to -- I want to write a book or two and get a little travel in.

The seriousnes of having RA scares me sometimes as does my panic about my

medical plan stopping paying for expensive things like Enbrel. We have no

savings; all I have is the fact that my Mom's house is paid for and I'm an

only child so I will have some security from that ... in the mean time I

have to see to things like refinancing the house to save money, and checking

details with myhealth insurer and finishing my complex retirement

paperwork..... shoot, I am not up to any of that today.........

I am not complaining because bless you all, I am in excellent shape compared

to so many of you.. I have a good rheumy who communicates with my by email

when I need and I haven't had so much joint damage yet that I need anything

replaced and though I have pain, it's not unbearable. I am really praying

for all of you who have so much deeper pain and greater insecurity.... no

matter what, never think you are alone.. and thanks to all who make this

list possible. It is a HUGE blessing.

Love and prayers, Carla in RI

[Guest guest]

>

> Dear All -- I don't post much but I do read a lot. I'm still working full

> time and trying to help my mother who is 88 and do the usual house and pet

> things. I've been taking enbrel with my Mtx for about 3 months -- of

> course, I got a bad cold that lingered 2 weeks and threatened to turn into

> pneumonia so I'm off the enbrel till I'm well. Sigh. It was really making

> a difference. I finally got on antibiotics and hope I'll shake this soon.

>

> You know... I'm exhausted a lot and have trouble focussing too -- this is a

> huge problem with work because I have a Very demanding job with very

> critical bosses. I didn't associate it with the Mtx because I've had

> periodic exhaustion from clinical depression and then from Lyme disease and

> it's side effects for years. The Mtx Enbrel combination was working well

> enough that I don't want to switch though.. I guess I'd best just start

> getting more sleep. I push myself too hard, often.

>

> I'm retiring January 7. I've worked for the state of RI and the University

> long enough that I get my medical fully paid for; unfortunately hubby will

> lose his but he does have some coverage through his tribe (Lakota, i.e.

> Sioux... ) and also some veteran's coverage. I worry because he survived

> liver cancer and major surgery 4 years back -- ooops no it's 5 years now and

> I didn't realize he wouldn't stay covered. However both my health and the

> need to help my Mom require me to go ahead with retirement -- plus of course

> I Want to -- I want to write a book or two and get a little travel in.

>

> The seriousnes of having RA scares me sometimes as does my panic about my

> medical plan stopping paying for expensive things like Enbrel. We have no

> savings; all I have is the fact that my Mom's house is paid for and I'm an

> only child so I will have some security from that ... in the mean time I

> have to see to things like refinancing the house to save money, and checking

> details with myhealth insurer and finishing my complex retirement

> paperwork..... shoot, I am not up to any of that today.........

>

> I am not complaining because bless you all, I am in excellent shape compared

> to so many of you.. I have a good rheumy who communicates with my by email

> when I need and I haven't had so much joint damage yet that I need anything

> replaced and though I have pain, it's not unbearable. I am really praying

> for all of you who have so much deeper pain and greater insecurity.... no

> matter what, never think you are alone.. and thanks to all who make this

> list possible. It is a HUGE blessing.

>

> Love and prayers, Carla in RI

>

SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE DONE VERY WELL MANAGING YOUR ILLNESS-I AM GLAD YOU

CAN RETIRE AND STILL HAVE COVERAGE FOR YOUR MEDICAL-PLUS YOU WILL GET

MEDICARE AND YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR A PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM.

MY NEIGHBORS SON GOES TO RI UNIVERSITY HIS NAME IS RYAN GAW--I THINK HE IS NOW

IN HIS SCONG OR THIRD YEAR--POOR KID ONE MONTH AFTER HE LEFT FOR COLLEGE HIS

DAD DIED AT 45..........KEEP IN TOUCH....LYNN8953