RAtologist

I can't wait to see him! I never thought that I would be saying that but in light of the way I feel, I need a shot of something to get this old body back into the swing of things. My "rhummy" has been really bad this week with the lessening of the prednisone down to half a tablet every odd day. Mostly when I get up in the morning, my middle finger on my right hand is now in a claw like position and hurts very much If I try to straighten it out. My pinky finger is swollen right in the joint area causing pain there. Walking has been a little difficult and it seems to lessen as my day goes along. My right ankle and knees are the ones doing the most complaining and it's definite that I cannot go from a kneeling position to stand upright anymore. I notice more sounds that my body is making now, the slight cracking of my bones in my movements of walk when I go from a sitting position to a standing position. Putting one foot in front of the other as the tiny bones in my toes even crackle. Weird and scary.
The turning of my head, I hear sounds within my neck attached to the spinal column crackling. It closely resembles the sound of a ripe watermelon being torn open, very slowly. I tried to explain this sound to my RAtologist but couldn't find the description for it until this post. Not being able to fully close my hand of palm means not being able to grip simple things like keys, and writing utensils. You take for granted what you already have until it's taken away from you. I'm sure someone wrote that and it's so true. Today is my dental appointment for my yearly cleaning and I hope they don't find my mouth too offensive. I'm sure they've seen worse. I have to let them know that I have RA since my last dental cleaning. There might be a different procedure that they handle, I'm not sure, it's just a precaution.
My Casino brothers, Mel and Jaz are taking me out to Hokkaido in Foster City today. It's a Japanese Buffet and it's very inexpensive. Succulent crab and fresh oysters, entrees of all types and the sushi bar is to die for. I really enjoy my time with my co-workers and friends and I'm glad that they think of me often since I'm not working and on disability, to invite me out. It gets me out of the house and keeps me out of trouble.