This just in from Margaret who is hosting Sandra at her digs while she recovers:

"bearded bruce - my scar is longer than my forearm! beat that, folks!

& sins, the tum is above the scar! ratzes! it was great when the original thingy was removed & that bit was flat, wot a shame the other bulgy bit remains. My surgeon said some pathologist is going to get a real surprise when they get to work after the holiday weekend & see the huge sample that needs slicing & examining. The result will be available at the end of the week, & I have to make an appointment to see him the following week.

Hospital was a lot better than I thought it would be - great staff & fellow patients, why I even decided that I'll accept my thyroid specialist's opinion to remove my malfunctioning thyroid! She'll get a shock, cos I was so much against the idea. Food wasn't good (who was telling us about starving patients hoarding food? good thing I took my supply) but my wonderful hostess has loaded up her fridge so fully that I had to remind her I'll probably only be here 1 night & day. Spare bed has been carried down the narrow steps & set up in front living room, (thanks John aka occasional Mudcatter Jack Halyard!) - everything is cosy for the invalid - dunno whether to milk the situation or not! Another friend picked me up from the hospital, fed me lunch then drove me over here.

thanks to everyone for your good thoughts, I took my printout to hospital & read thru it.

lots of love from sandra"