Thanks for everyone's concern - it was overwhelming to be able to read out your responses to the young man as he lay in bed, although I'm surprised he heard me as i was competing with the cartoon network and re- runs of Friends on the pull-down LCD TV - he is very thankful, as I am.
Good news: it's not appendicitis, rather a nasty viral infection of the abdominal glands with symptoms much like appendicitis. Stefan improved markedly this afternoon and the surgeon kicked him out. I think it was when he was spotted using a tatty old teddy bear as an ad-hoc football in the corridor that the decision may have been taken ;-) We left at 8pm and he is back home now fast asleep in his bed, still with some discomfort but nowhere near the levels I was half-expecting him to reach this morning if it had been his appendix. As many have pointed out, the pain is apparently excruciating and in some ways the doctors expect one to breach this pain level as it provides good ground for diagnosing appendicitis. Not a bad method - it works. Stefan didn't reach the pain level. Quite the contrary: he improved, hence no operation necessary - always a good thing. Naturally I snapped him in his hospital bed doubtless he expects it to appear on the web in due course ;-) Once again, thanks for all your concerns. It once again illustrates what a marvellous community of people there are here from across the world. I am indebted to you all. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=====| http://www.cottysnaps.com _____________________________
