bowyer2002, here's what I did: I took off the panel, noticed the plastic water shield, and then decided I better ask for help before I cut the plastic. That was two months ago when temperatures around here averaged 10 - 20 degrees F.
Today it's 50 degrees out ... and my inspection sticker has expired ... so I checked back here again. Based on your question about tightening the door handle from the inside, and based on cackalak han's explanation, I tried again, and I fixed the problem. I didn't realize I could peel the plastic back, but the sealant was pretty flexible today. I also found the bolt in the bottom of the door panel, so I used a magnetic wand to retrieve it before putting Loctite on it.
Thanks again to both of you.