To everyone who has commented on my most recent blog, many thanks for your thoughts, they really are a help in facing what is to come. I've said this before I know, but I feel I need to thank you all again. I know it is considered a routine operation these days, but when its you its going to happen to it feels anything but routine. That said, with my blood clotting problems (I clot too easily so have to take anticoagulants) this won't be quite a routine thing. There will be several days of getting my blood stickiness right before hand and probably even longer getting it back up to normal for me levels without the risk of bleeding afterwards. In reply to Patsy King, many thanks for asking how things are going. So far there isn't any further news as I'm not due to see the doctor for another week and a half. There is a bit of a delay in my doctor getting the full report of the scan from the hospital and, as my luck would have it, there is a public holiday thrown in for good measure too and my doctor is adding it to his annual leave. I must admit though that I do get a bit out of breath these days, probably because my diaphragm is a bit compromised and so my lungs aren't able to function as well as they should (I'm not a medical person although I did do Human Biology many years ago at school, but this seems logical to me). I must admit I will be glad when the operation is over and in many respects I can't wait. Not only will I be able to get in my older clothes again, I will also be able to put my wonderfully glamorous compression socks on with less effort! I'll actually be able to reach my toes without feeling a large lump in the way. Actually, these days the socks don't look bad at all, just slightly thicker pop socks really, which is a great relief. I remember the awful thick things my grandmother had to wear. I was dismayed when in my mid 30's I was told I would have to wear compression socks. Anyway, as soon as I know more news I will let you all know. In the mean time I am actually doing a bit of painting again. I'm currently halfway through an acrylic picture of a father and daughter rockpooling on one of the Island's beaches. I will photograph it when finished and put a copy in the gallery, which I really must get around to updating at some point. Happy painting to all and I'll write another blog soon.