Couple of cosmetic issues, but I think I can fix them up. For $2,500 it's not bad at all.

Sorry for the curt reply earlier,work is bonkers & I'm kinda reluctantly coming to terms with this. Past 6 months, I've had progressive, fucking shocking joint pain. Knees first, then feet, fingers, wrists. The hands really have knocked me down every which way, because it was too painful to swim & then everything at work piled up, so even good days, I was putting in extra hours. Losing that routine for whatever reason was bad, and didn't help. Everything points to rheumatoid arthritis- my mom got hit with it in her 20s. Once I got over denial (not really, still hoping) started the go-see-a-fucking-Dr-ball.

And that's where I am. Making rheumatologist appt tomorrow because I have to work 4-midnight & didn't have the chance the last 2 days. So.

That's great, Gud! I'm jealous. That's a nice looking car.

We just (today) put $2200 in our nearly 15 year old mini-van.

The thing is, we've owned it since it was new, so we know its history. It has decent mileage for its age. In our area, we couldn't get something reliable that would fit all five of us and the dog, for that money -- at least not something that wouldn't soon need us to pour that kind of money into it.

We haven't been able to buy our kids cars, because of paying for college. Our oldest inherited my f-i-l's 2002 Saturn, when f-i-l died three years ago. The younger two share our two old cars with us, when they're home from school. Since my oldest moved out, this summer is going to be challenging with conflicting schedules.

Our younger son had to take the second semester of his freshman year off, in order to deal with a new diagnosis. He's taking (and driving to) two courses this summer so he can catch up.

Meanwhile, our middle has left her second college in two years. She hasn't been happy and wants to work for a while and refocus. That's fine, but she needs to get to work, and we can't swing a car for ourselves, never mind her.

Should the youngest one's recovery continue, he's going to try to live at college again, come autumn. The thing is, he's going to have to come home for treatments and tests every month or two, and will have doctor's visits in Boston. And if he's losing weight, he'll probably end up commuting (or half-and-half) so I can feed him and keep his weight up.

I'm sorry. Not sure why I dumped all that here.

Sorry, sarameg. I should have refreshed before posting.

Best of luck with your new doctor, diagnosis and treatment. My kid has Crohn's, but some medications treat both conditions (and other auto-immune related things).

I hope everything goes well for you.

Eh, I'm just saying it to make it real. I don't like it.

sarameg, Tim was diagnosed with RA about 2 1/2 years ago, so if I can answer any questions for you/share RA tips (like how to deal with the nausea that methotrexate causes), I'll be happy to.

Cindy, that's a lot. I wish there were a way to make it easier.

I don't blame you, sarameg. I think you're smart to make it real.

Thanks Tep.

Theodosia once told me a problem that can be solved by money is not a bad problem to have. I do believe that, and watching what C has been going through is hard (but great for perspective).

C's health is headed in the right direction. He's not in remission, but he's feeling somewhat better (although gut pain currently has him discouraged).

The money/car stuff is just an aggravation. We have a roof over our heads.

I feel for J about college. She's very bright, so I don't think she'll be happy for too long in the workforce without a degree. I've suggested she look into commuting to a state school or Community College part-time -- or whatever is enough hours to keep her from having her student loans come due.

We can contribute to that (which is why we have old cars) and she might get by without (more) loans depending on where she goes and what she takes. There's no sense making her stay in school when she is unhappy. I'm letting her find her own way.

sarameg, I'm sorry you have something so serious to make real.

Cindy, do you feel like you are juggling flaming chainsaws?

I'm letting her find her own way.

It's tricky!

sarameg, I'm simpatico. I've got an impingement (I think) that's causing me a lot of pain in the last month. Across my butt, deep into my hip socket down my thigh and wrapping around the front of my shin. I need to see a doctor to find out what's fixable with PT or more drastic measures. But it fucking hurts and it's really impeding daily function. Just standing up and walking around gets me to a 6 of 10 on pain, and walking can get me up past 8. So any local errand requires frequent stops and odd stretchy poses just to get things tolerable. Bah. Decrepitude.

Cindy, that sounds complicated and a juggle!

Sara meg that sucks but I'm glad you have an appointment. I only have the one joint tha at hurts and it's making me nuts, I can't imagine all of them.

My annual dance convention is next weekend, and I'm so bummed I won't be able to dance like usual. The last couple weeks I've managed to do a slow basic dance but nothing fast or fun or fancy, and all my fave people to do fast fun fancy moves with will be in town and I won't be able to! Ugh. But one thing I plan to do with my time off is try a variety of things to get better. It just sucks that one minute has caused months and months of pain and suck. Wish I had a remote control and could rewind...