The award letter for N's 100% disability due to exposure to Agent Orange was faxed to me this morning by a tremendously helpful DAV person named Paul. He called me at 7:55 to tell me it was approved, and agreed to fax it to me. All 14 pages of it.

I, in turn, faxed it to N so that he can show it to the powers that be. I was so impatient to get it to him, I ended up faxing it twice, so he has a copy to give, and a copy to keep. The original will come in the mail.

I can't tell you how relieved I am. I will be happy later; right now, I'm in shock. Good news can be stressful, too. I understand why people have heart attacks after good news.

It's been an emotional rollercoaster, and I hope that things stabilize now. Looking forward to a bit of boredom, to the occasional unremarkable day.

Thank you for all your love and support. You've helped me through some rough patches, that's for sure.