So, hubby has not had a heart attack, and in fact is disgustingly healthy except for the fact that he apparently is having difficulty breathing because of exhaustion. So the doctor has put him off work for a week - "ten days to a fortnight would be better". He's also on a mild tranq: Xanax. Just for a couple of days to get him more relaxed.

It seems to be working a bit, as he's not as grey and haggard. He says it may be that or the fact that he knows he doesn't have to go to work or, indeed, do anything for the next week to 10 days. It sounds quite blissful. We've put a message on his mobile phone saying he's off sick, and rerouting people to the office. Which is more than I've managed to do in 17 years of marriage.

As he said, 'If this is nothing, then I can't imagine getting something!" To which I replied, "Oh yeah... welcome to my world."

Actually his lungs are clearer (less scar tissue) than at this time last year, so unless the sarcoidosis attacking another organ that we don't know about (my worser self says, "yeah...his brain*") then that's not the issue. Although clearly it could be if he were to keep up the current pace of adrenalin junkiedom. He's such a good girl. Except that he's a boy. And straight even.

So I will be going to work a bit more often just to settle everything down. Only a bit though, our staff are being very good about picking up the slack. Except for the b****ds who are going to Italy on tour, of course. And those gadding about Australia with their foreign relatives. And those who are sick with their own lurgies. Apart from that, they're wonderful.

The only nice thing about being sick is the messages of support and love you get from your students. Yeah, they make you feel guiltier, but it's still nice. And a few of them are relieved to have a guilt-free evening off. So it works out all round.

Today I have been quipping that I was having a mini-nervous breakdown, and now hubby has hi-jacked it. Either that or I gave him nervous exhaustion and hypochondria. When you've been married as long as we have, you share everything.

GOOGLIE EYES: Still googlie, but not as much/as often. It's funny how completely healthy eyes can ache. I even read a little bit for a while. And I'm about to watch "House".

* sarcoidosis can occur in the brain, but can only be found on biopsy, and they have to biopsy the exact bit that is under attack. So it's usually a diagnosis done post-mortem.