Update from Forty Green

Hi Folks - and belated Christmas greetings to one and all.

What with one thing and another, only just managed to read all the latest postings and one from us is well overdue. Pete came back from taking Margaret to see Hugh again this afternoon a short while ago. It would seem that Hugh will remain in the hospital for the duration of the course of antibiotics - about 5 days in all - and seems a lot more comfortable now. He's come off the drip and only gets the intravenous medication when it's necessary and it only takes about 20 minutes so he's more comfortable in that respect as well. He took food by mouth today too, so things are generally looking up ('mushroom soup' not quite up to the standards he's used to though - the description made it sound more like brawn!). The outlook is that he will have his gall bladder removed at some time in the not-too-distant future. Two schools of thought on this: a) operation to remove gall bladder whilst inflamed, b) remove gall bladder by key-hole surgery once ok. Not sure who decides what or when!

Margaret is, as you may have gathered, still with us at Forty Green and will (all things being equal) remain so until Hugh is discharged at least. Feeling a bit brighter herself today after a bath and hair wash before going to see her beloved. Considering everything, we've had a pretty fab time of it and the girls have been great too, rallying round and helping keep spirits up. Amy and Nana are great at 'I Spy'!

Thanks for keeping in touch with everyone Steve, and thanks to all those who have succeeded in phoning - Margaret has enjoyed being able to speak with you and, now that her concerns over Hugh's condition being life-threatening have been allayed, is much more content and far less anxious generally, as you can imagine. Christmas Day and wedding anniversary have not been what they would have wished for themselves, but Margaret has put a very brave face on it and it's a delight and pleasure having her here with us.

Love to you all
Jan and Pete