The hot brown liquid drunk with cream from a cup in the morning is just that; not much taste, pleasant hint if bitter, and capable of fooling brain and taste buds before they're fully awake - mostly harmless, but no substitute for real coffee.

However, it's now less than two weeks till my check-up, at which time I hope to be declared healed, at least enough so as to return, if briefly, to a more civilised life of food and drink.

Thoughts, sentiments, well wishes, etc., still greatly appreciated - Tom