I gave up trying to modify the text and simply used ###.hide to achieve the same end.

I am using KIX 4.53 per original post.

If you forget the function as listed and look at the following, this is why I find it particularly annoying...

$myvariable = $thisbutton.text works
$thisbutton.text = $myvariable does not error but button remains unchanged.

Should I force a ###.refresh ?

If anyone has any idea for future, leave it here.