So many people bleat "But they're breaking the la-a-aw!" re: immigration--as they blithely cheat on their taxes and routinely drive over the speed limit.

Erin, thank you. My previous gyno moved to another city, alas, but the woman I saw this time was really competent and compassionate. She "validated my experience" telling me that the pain I was having was too much to put up with. I don't know if I'm perimenopausal, no one's actually said that word to me yet. My periods are regular as fucking clockwork, they're just evil.

I will call and ask to talk about anesthesia - if they aren't planning any, I'll ask why not. I'm a little concerned about it now! The gyno didn't script the Valium - I told her I have it already, for anxiety, and told her I would taking some before the procedure. I will make certain about possible interactions with any other sedative or painkiller before I take anything.

Crap. I can't believe I'm being such a wimp about this. Normally the only thing that freaks me out, medically, is a blood draw.

For a D&C local anesthesia is standard, I'm pretty sure. Doctors don't like to use general unless it's absolutely necessary because the potential risks are so much higher.

Allyson, ITA. Most people don't know how very hard and expensive it is to get a green card.

It costs us about 10k in order to get a green card for one of our scientists. It makes me bananas because I keep thinking, "but the US NEEDS this human." And it's not just this person/scientist. There are people in all walks of life who add a great deal of talent and skill and shoulder-to-the-wheel to the US. It shouldn't be this hard.

Jen, congrats on the smoking thing, but this part about your sleep schedule has me laughing:

I'm thinking 11a-7a

Man, you are going to get some GOOD sleep.

Ok, so we are pretty sure someone just tried to come into our house while we were still lounging in bed. Very glad we have Kaylee. Police are coming to take a report. Didn't see anyone--just heard the little three beeps of the alarm system that means someone is opening a door and heard Kaylee start barking madly at the back door by our bedroom. We assumed it was our guest in the back house at first but then found out it wasn't and called the police to file a report. Belated adrenaline dump.

For a D&C local anesthesia is standard, I'm pretty sure. Doctors don't like to use general unless it's absolutely necessary because the potential risks are so much higher.

They're definitely not using general! Much as I'd like to sleep through it, I don't react well to general; I'd say no anyway. No, the problem is more that they didn't mention ANY anesthesia.

Yikes, Pix! Good work, Kaylee.

...little beeps, huh? My alarm system blares like the zombies are attacking when a door is opened. I've scared the crap out of myself and the cats more than once by opening a door when I've forgotten the alarm was set. I need an alarm system like yours.

Zen, if the alarm is set and goes off, it makes a loud noise (not that I even know how to set it, to be honest). This is just the standard alarm standby beeping. Kaylee needs a biscuit.

Pix, yikes! Good job, Kaylee. Extra ear scritches for you.