Spent most of the day photocopying documents and running errands so I didn't get to the hospital until mid afternoon -- right about the time he found out he'll be having the valve surgery on Thursday. Haven't a clue at what time. They really seem to be surprised that we'd like to know. Geez, just let me know a bit in advance, fer-pete's-sake, and what time it's scheduled for so I can plan my life!
Ah, and then the kicker. The aide came in hemming and hawing and . . . tried to break it to him gently -- at least parts of the beard had to be gone before Thursday. They evidently have to put stuff through his neck and it has to be hairless and prepped. She suggested I give him a drastic trim today so he could wrap his brain around the concept, then on Thursday they'd prep him, leaving his mustache and hair above the chin line. So I did and he still looks great. He grumbled but it'll be okay -- it'll grow back and he'll have a beard facade at least when he comes through the surgery.
The brie is on the counter and I picked up a great loaf of bread today -- throw together a salad and crack open the cheap pinot grigio to wash it down. Then a hairwash and a bath with a book -- R&R. Hope I can get more than 6 hours of sleep tonight. (If only the brain would take a nap!)