Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. Teppy, I got your note. Thank you.

Let me know what you get -- I love to live vicariously through others' booze!

Cool! Like what?

My specialist wants me to get a dose of 6mg, with an optional 6 more of dilaudid later if that doesn't work. ER is hesitant to give me more than 4 in a shot. She suggested I do the math, and ask for a third does of 4mg when necessary. Pretty sensible--just usually that advocating feels like too much to engage in at the time.

Turns out she has sickle cell anaemia with frequent pain flareups that her doctors can't explain what's up, and she's relegated to regular ER trips for two of the drugs in my cocktail.

She's gone whole hog and gotten the portacath, though. But at least she has a tangible diagnosis of something. Unfortunately, it's a minority disease, and not widely understood. She gets the drugseeking skeptical treatment, etc, etc.

Thanks to everyone. It's a new day.

Happy Birthday Matilda!

ita, I'm glad to hear you got assertiveness-about-your-meds suggestions. Anything that helps during that time.

Could you write a strongly worded letter, have your doc sign it, and whip it out when you're too pain-filled to argue?

Like a diabetic bracelet: "If you're reading this, it's because I am in too much pain to advocate strongly for myself verbally right now. Here's the facts: blah blah specifics-cakes."

I like the letter idea, Erin.

Really? She's been super whiny this week. Though Emmett got about 200% easier after he was 4.5.

I've been anxious about this transition stretch with the new school. I know there will be heels dug in and tears shed for several weeks.

Then again, she's been such a fuss butt this weekend it won't be a huge change.

I should note that the fussy is about 20% of her waking time and the rest is cheery and charming with much imaginative play, verbal invention and long, misremembered stories with curious and surreal narrative turns.

Well, a school change is a big deal to a little kid -- like a job change is to an adult, but with less ability to tell everyone to Eff off.

I mean I think four is a great age for the child herself (neutral for the parents). You're big enough that you can do loads of things, but you're little enough that nobody expects much of you. It's a great low-pressure mix of freedom/ability. If I had to be a child, I'd be four, again.

While used to sirens outside of the retirement community across the way; there are now 5 police cars, and gunshots! outside my window!

Introducing Avon to Kripkat with Technology! Bob and I are using video chat to watch/chat about one cat while in the room with the other.

Okay, we're up to 10 police cars and an ambulance.

Not usually that much excitement at a retirement community, is there?

Hallway rage with the walkers?