This forum does give the impression that you need about $1,000 of extremely carefully thought out bicycle parts to assemble an adequate touring bike. Fortunately, you don't. Your existing bike is just fine. You may want to get ahold of some wider tires, or spend $50-$75 for a pair of study used wheels for wider tires so you can swap back and forth if you wish. Most tourers would also suggest adding handlebars that give you more hand positions, which helps a lot on longer rides. But that's about it. You're basically there already.

It's OK to quest after the perfect, spare-no-expense touring bike, but not if failing to obtain it keeps you from touring. There are a lot more important variables in a successful tour than how many spokes your rear wheel has or whether you've got the perfect shifters . . . or whether the bicycle industry has chosen to market your bike as appropriate for touring. The most important variable is comfort: Can you sit on your bike all day and have a good time? Then it's a touring bike.