Imuran, Youruan, Wealluran

Kirsten's Blog...November 11, 2009, 7:30 A.M.: No better way to celebrate Veteran's Day than waking up and feeling old. Arthur is certainly alive and kicking today. But after my husband piles me into our little beat-up '92 Honda Civic, we are headed to my rheumatologist to see what can be done about this pesky arthritis. As the doctor inspects the damage, I do my best to fight off tears, but end up having a complete meltdown. Dr. Bonafede is comforting, and helps me get down to business: "What do you want to do?" he says. I want to calmy state, "Strangle you with my gnarled fingers," but think it best to respond instead with, "What's next on the list of meds?" Turns out the next in the batting order is a drug called Imuran, which sounds either like a middle eastern country, or a model married to David Bowie. Turns out this little yellow pill can help slow down the bad cells fighting against my body, but it takes it 3 months to start cleaning house. Dr. Bonafede: "We can also give you cortisone infusions in the short term to deal with the present pain." Hells, yeah! Now, we're speaking my language---watch out, Arthur---you're getting blasted with some serious pain-fighters that are totally going to kick your ass! Funny thing is that I haven't even had the cortisone IV, and I seem to already be feeling better. I think it's having the hope that I can make it through the next few months with some new ammunition in my artillery that is keeping me going. I hate to have an adversarial relationship with Arthur, but dammit, he's left me no other options.