Thank you so much, everyone, for your thoughts, prayers and encouragement! 
Ok, the update: My extraction went amazingly well!
I've never had nitrous oxide for anything previous, but now I'm a huge fan. My appt. was at 1 p.m. They got me in right away and started the "gas". I love my dentist I found in this area recently; she is exceptionally caring and just plain good at what she does.
After giving the gas some time to work, she gently began with all the numbing needles. I can't count how many, but she made sure I was totally numbed. My eyebrows were numb! Even the needles into the roof of my mouth were not painful; just a small pinch. Then the process of taking out all 14 teeth across the top. She'd pull a few and let me rest. Then a few more til we were finished.
Some gauze held down and then the denture went in. I was out of the office about 3:15. The teeth look soooo good, better than the ones I was born with. My real teeth were a little crooked in front.
I got my script for 500 mgs. hydrocodone on the way home and took one at 5:30 and another at 9:30. So far, so good. Not really in much pain! By 9:30 I was ready for another pill, but it's really just a big aching pain. I realized sometime this afternoon that my knees felt better than they have for a full year. I laughed and told my husband maybe I could ask the dentist if she could "gas me up" about once a week for all my other aches and pains...guess that wouldn't work.
I go back tomorrow for her to take out the denture (she told me to PLEASE leave it in if at all possible) and check everything. And go back again Thurs. and Fri. Then a couple of times next week. She wants to be sure it's all doing fine, especially because of the Sjogren's. Like I said, I just love her.
Yes, Bucky, I will get some sleep trying to partially sit up. Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it!
Thanks, all, for the support. You guys are the greatest!
Here's what I look like now. lol
Melinda
