My dentist is a witty and intelligent woman and I enjoyed the visit today, except for the needle part and the extraction. After all my worrying, it was totally painless. I still look like a stroke victim, but that will pass.

Tomorrow and Friday are back to the VA for spousal's CAT scan and clinic appointment. We can hope that he gets a clean bill of health, but I think he's facing months of chemotherapy. I wish he didn't know so much about the side effects; I could probably auto-hypnotize myself out of them (were it I having the therapy), but he always experiences them all.

I must say I'm really impressed by the quality of care at the VA here. They may be a bit callous towards friends and family (as you sit in agony in the world's most uncomfortable chairs, waiting for word of your loved one), but the patients get superb care. And that's what counts. I am confident he is in the best hands.

I just needed to say all this to get it off my mind. Now my grotesque face and I will take the pain meds and betake ourselves to bed. I get high with a little help....