Camarodreamer, I'm just biting my tongue rather than respond in kind to some of the folks who posted ... All I can say is, don't take it personally. Some people have "arrived" (or think they have) financially and socially, but have somehow lost, or never had, a grain of understanding or compassion. I live in an area where property values have skyrocketed; people are moving here to get away from the city - They bring with them their city ways, demolish modest homes that have been standing for decades and replace them with the all-too-familiar "McMansion" that is too large for both lot and neighborhood, and attempt to ride roughshod over a way of life that has been cherished here for generations. I'm a "transplant" here myself, having been here a mere 30 years, but sensitive to, and appreciative of, what this area has to offer. I love houses and in my travels have seen many. A house is a shell - nothing more. Granted, some have more aesthetic appeal, more architectural merit, than others ... but it is the people who live in them who make them *homes*. If it is one's "calling card", one's announcement to the world that one has "made it" ... then it isn't a home, it's something else. I admire and appreciate your desire to reduce your living expenses while simplifying and increasing the quality of your life. I worked for 8 years in a hospital setting - five of those with hospice and cancer patients and, sad to say, it often took a virtual death sentence before people woke up and distilled their lives down to what was important. I hope I'm not rambling too much, but this is coming from the heart; not always in the best order, and with some of the stinging parts edited out. You know better than anyone else whether this house (or any other one) is right for you and your family - I believe someone has already stated that. Some of the kind posters have helped identify and clarify, and possibly remedy, some of the drawbacks. If the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, then you can overcome those drawbacks and the property will reflect the thought, care and love that you put into your life and become a *home*. Whatever you decide, please don't let it be because of rude, shallow people ... and I wish you the very best. Diane

Man, Catkim, that is awful that yours didn't clear up either. Mine is not so important because that hand is bad on fine motor things for so long now that I don't even notice the compensation methods anymore. A musician would worry! Definitely research the procedures. My surgery hasn't really changed since the 1800's, lol. I bet a friend could do it ;] I'll get a specialist though, lol. Carla, so glad to hear yours was a breeze. I had TMJ surgery eons ago by the best, and even thoughts of TMJ haven't entered my mind in years. That's really amazing 'cos that really hurt and often! Were you asleep for yours? Apparently I can get just shots to the area, and anesthesia costs a fortune, so I like that option. Arthritis? Oy and oy. Runs in my family but I've dodged that bullet, thankfully. Tramadol is a great pain med, in my experience, and I take it all the time 'cos of my back. That may help... dunno. It's frustrating, chronic pain disorders, to say the least! I feel for you!

Thank you, declansmom! I'm truly not worried about it being cancer. It just hurts so dang bad that I want it gone! It doesn't bother me when I'm typing. But starting first thing in the morning, it aches when I squeeze the tube of toothpaste, and buttoning a shirt is difficult. Some days it just "aches" so bad I want to cry, and it feels as if the pain sometimes travels down the thumb toward my palm. I hope the hand doctor can do mine quickly, as he is in Oklahoma City (over an hour from my house). Too many trips will be a pain in the butt---although I'll do anything to get rid of this pain in my thumb! :-)

MY dissappointment was my arm/hand.Have been having trouble with it since before t'giving.My Dr.,doesn't know what is causing it.I at first thought i was getting lymphadema,but that has been ruled out.Dr thinks it may have something to do with the muscles and tendons,because of the amount of nodes removed.I thought maybe it was that also,but now i'm wondering if it could be side affects of the meds i'm on,2 of them say they can cause muscle.joint pain among other things. Have an appt this wednesday with a physiotherapist again,so we'll see.In the meantime i can't use my right arm/hand for anything and it hurts.I can't even put the foot rest up on my recliner.Sad huh?? I know others have it a lot worse than i do,so i try not to dwell on my pains. Kathi