The solution finally came after many frustrating hours/days. The key is to have someone reset your password manually. It can't be done through Apple supports online automated tutorials. The difficultly is first getting in contact with a human and then getting them to really understand that the automated process does't work in this case. I did escape with part of my mind still functioning.
Here's part of the exchange with Michael in support. By the way, she was great. She replaced this other guy who kept trying to solve my problem without reading my emails.
"Michelle here again from iTunes Store Support. I'm sorry to hear that the password I provided you yesterday didn't work this morning.
I have gone ahead and reset your iTunes Store account password again for you:
Your account name: xxxxxx
Your temporary password: xxxxxxx
Using the steps below, you will be able to edit your Apple ID and password at the same time. Please follow these steps to change your Apple ID and password:
1) Make sure you're using the latest version of iTunes. You can download iTunes, free-of-charge, from the Apple website:
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download
Note: Installing the latest version of iTunes will not affect your library or any items in your account that you haven't downloaded.
2) Open iTunes, then from the Store pull-down menu at the top, choose Sign In.
3) Enter "xxxxxxx@gmail.comt" and the password I provided to you today and then click Sign In.
4) From the pull-down Store menu at the top, choose View My Account, or click the link below:
https://phobos.apple.com/accountSummary
5) If prompted, enter "xxxxxxxx@gmail.comt" and the password I provided to you today, then click the View Account button.
6) Click the Edit button on the Apple Account Information screen.
7) Enter the modification to your Apple ID (must be an email address)and/or a new password. Please make sure the email address you enter is one that you actively check. It is not possible to make the iTunes Store send an email to an address different than the one being used for your Apple ID.
8) Click Done to save your changes.