[AGA-sc] I've got a problem

I've got a problem that I need to discuss with you all. I've already talked to Cheryl on the phone this morning, and I suspect Erik knows what I'm going to say, since he was in the room when I was talking to Kathy last night.

I have been having serious problems with my joints for the past few weeks, following intermittent problems for the last 6 months. Last week I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The good news is that both my Rheumatologist and Kathy have assured me that with the drugs available for RA now, we will get it under control eventually, and once we do, it will be more a management issue than anything else. The bad news is that in the short run, I am not only in pain, but totally wiped out, and now grumpy from prednisone as well.<g> I'm also having to fit in many trips to the doctor, and have to start both PT and OT as well. Kathy has told me that realistically, it will probably be at least several months before we can get my symptoms under control... it takes a minimum of 6 weeks for the first drug I'll be on to even reach therapeutic blood levels. Then, if that one doesn't work, they move on to the next option, etc.

The long and the short of it is that I've been told that I have to slow down, listen to my body and trim the schedule. That means, among other things, that I have to turn more (most) of TAG over to Cheryl. Fortunately, she has agreed to take this on, and I know that she is more than capable. At this point, if the BOD agrees, I want all the TAG production money to go directly to Cheryl. (gee, feels like I'm writing my will fer heavens sakes!<g>) I will still act as the "article-getter" and technical editor for Cheryl.

After you guys all get this, I'll also post something shorter on the TAGGERs list, so that the people who are not also on the BOD know what's going on. (Tomoko and Michael in particular, since their translation duties are crucial to TAG)

Likewise, as much as I want to step forward to help on convention stuff, for now I'm going to have to leave most of it to the rest of you. Hopefully, if all goes well, as we get closer to the convention I may be past the worst of it. (and I'm COMING, no matter what!!!) I'm happy to stay on the BOD if you want me to, as long as you understand that if I don't respond for a few days, it may just be that my hands are not allowing me to type. OTOH, if someone else comes along that you have confidence in, and can actually handle more work, please feel free to bring that person onto the BOD, and I can step aside. It WON'T hurt my feelings.

One last consequence of Cheryl taking over on TAG is that AGA will have to find someone else to take up some of the membership duties so that she can concentrate more time on the magazine. When we talked today, we discussed that there are definitely synergies involved in having TAG and membership under one umbrella. I think it would make sense to have the new membership person report to Cheryl. That way, she can keep her pulse on what is going on much more easily.

It is a REALLY hard decision for me to turn over TAG, even though I KNOW that Cheryl will continue to do an awesome job with it. "Color TAG" has been our "baby" and we've made it into something that I think we're all really proud of. But for now, this is one of the areas where I _can_ cut back. (somehow, I think I'm still gonna have to deal with all my "Mom" duties ;-)