I changed tack; told her how well she looked before she could begin. She beamed, smiled, said she was much better now.
My current husband greets me every morning with his latest ills. Headache. Sore back. Sleepless night, etc.
I changed tack; told him looked much better this morning. He sighed, moaned, said he was putting on a brave front despite all.
You win some, you lose some!