On 17th November last year, I had a message from my co-administrator, Brian (Aaron Calder) to explain why he'd "gone missing" for a few days.

His message was sent from his local hospital bed as he was rushed in and was feeling quite poorly. Earlier in the same week he had an ultrasound scan which revealed an abdominal aortic aneurysm that was already beyond the size where they normally operate so it needed to be repaired as a matter of urgency as soon as he was well enough for the surgery.

Having undergone pre-op tests in December, Brian was given a surgery date for the 14th January this year. Then it was postponed until 28th January.

On the 28th, he was admitted at 7:30am, gowned up etc only to be told that there wasn't an intensive care bed available for him. I can't imagine what stress that must have caused, having waited for a couple of months for this day to arrive.

A new date and the same proceedure, 4th February. Would you believe it, the same thing happened and the op was postponed at the last minute, again due to bed shortages.

However, Brian had a new appointment for today and his wife Wendy, has just messaged me to say that it's all going through.

Therefore I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing Brian a speedy and full recovery over the coming days and weeks.

Randa

I look to hearing the old chap has made a speedy recovery and reading lots more of his dry and witty comments.

Take care Brian.