Travel, Dating, and Dave Matthews Band

Dear Ms. Meniscus,

This December, I am supposed to travel to Little Rock, Arkansas. I have difficulty with stairs because of my two artificial knees and two artificial hips. I can handle stairs with some assistance, but I am not very graceful at it. My question is: would it be easier on my arthritis if I took an airplane, a bus, or a train? If I sit too long, I would need a wheelchair to get off of the plane. On a bus or a train, you can stand up and stretch. My doctors are against it because they thing it will take too much out of me. Should I wimp out and listen to my doctors, or toss my worries to the wind and go anyway?

-Troubled Traveler

Dear T.T.,

Life is like a corporation, love. There are millions of decisions to be made at every second of the day, and there are twice as many people ordering and advising and persuading you on what to do (yours truly included!). You must remember, though, that you are the main maestro, with even the most knowledgeable of counselors aside. And so, I suggest that in this situation, an executive decision is to be made. Forget about the doctors, the family, those two guys on the Greyhound bus commercials. Your trip is your business. If you think you can make it, then go for it. If not, then stay behind and tell Governor Huckabee that you'll be back another time.

Dear Ms. Meniscus,

I have JRA and am really shy about telling people for fear of rejection. How can I explain what I have to my boyfriend without wanting to sound like I want pity, and without scaring him off? I've been putting this off for so long. I think it's time to tell him, but I don't know how. Please help!

-In Love With JRA

Dear In Love,

It seems to me that you have been dating this fellow for quite a long time. Naturally, you would want to confide in him about your arthritis. When some issue affects your life in such a monumental way, it is often difficult to forge a close bond with someone if your situation is not mutually disclosed. Granted, a smidge of goosey jitters is to be expected. Remember, then, that if your relationship is that of at least 10 karat gold, his response is sure to be sterling. Explain to him your disease with confidence! And let Ms. Meniscus know how it turns out. Good luck!

Dear Ms. Meniscus,

My friend and I are supposed to be going to a Dave Matthews Band concert soon. I have arthritis, and it can get pretty bad at times -- especially at night, after I've been walking around all day. If I don't go to this concert, I'll just die. We got the greatest tickets and everything! Please let me know how I might prepare myself for the concert so I'm not writhing in pain all night.

Thanks

-DMB Fan

Dear DMB Fan,

Oh, my. Ms. Meniscus may not be a card-carrying member of Generation Next but is definitely aware of the rowdy ochlocracy of notorious DMB concerts. If you are to survive the venue unscathed, you must rest yourself during the preceding daylight hours. As you stated, arthritis pain can flare on the edges of the day. By arming yourself with plenty of rest (and plenty of meds!), you should be able to enjoy Mr. Matthews without compromising your health. Enjoy!

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