As planned, went in with Kate to visit Raymond yesterday. He looked a bit wan -- but that's hardly surprising. I complimented him on the new tattoo of a scar running down the centre of his chest (way more impressive than a mere scar on the cheek like those wimpy film baddies have, don'tcha think?).

Kate said he was much improved compared to the previous day (there were some concerns with his heart rate, which was too fast for quite some time, but had settled down by yesterday morning); he was even out of bed & sitting in a chair. His voice is a bit raspy (also not surprising) but his Puckish smile (quintessential Raymond, IMO) remains unchanged (although perhaps not (yet) as frequent as usual), and the way both his eyebrows raised with pleasure when Kate took hold of both his hands was very sweet.

I printed out the thread (up to & including Suibhne Astray's post) and brought it along; Raymond seemed surprised but pleased that there was a thread on him and eager to see what it said (then again, he appeared to be a bit short on reading material... ;-) ) I've also sent Kate a link to this thread (she's not a 'Catter) so that she can continue to let him see it when she visits.

Brian, it was news to just about everyone; if not for Kate, I suspect no-one outside of his family would have known... although he was anxious for folks to know that he had come through the operation OK.

Assuming that all that research about the healing power of laughter is correct, I am going to suggest that people post their best jokes here -- or else links to things that make them laugh (R doesn't have online access yet, but it won't be long before he's home and able to check this thread for himself).

Will post another update here when I've heard from Kate again.