This time his surgeon is trying to give him more of a voice than he has had for quite some time. He took a little 'fascia' from behind Kendall's ear and used it to fill the right vocal chord, to bring it up to meet with the left VC.

We had to go to Albany NY for the procedure, which took place on the 7th December. The same surgeon did the original laser surgery back in 2004 and is one of the best in his field for this kind of work. With the pre-op exam and a night in hospital post op we travelled down on the 6th and came back yesterday.

Mary came with us to do the driving and keep me company while the Old Guy was on the table and I was very glad of her company. She and I were talking about our fears and both agreed that the worst thing about Kendall croaking on the table would have been the logistics of getting the body back to Maine. We agreed that we would have had him cremated and brought the ashes back - takes up less room in a crowded van as Kendall pointed out this morning.

Anyway, he now has to keep silent for about 72 hours from the op and then to speak very little for the next few days. I have told locals - no visits please until at least the middle of the week as he finds it highly frustrating only being able to communicate by writing.

The surgeon says that we won't hear the full result until, probably, the New Year and he isn't making any promises as to what kind of voice Kendall will have then. All he will say is that it should give him a voice. We're probably back down in Albany in about three weeks time for the check up and we'll see then how successful this has been.

So, anyone who wants to put up a prayer, to any God you believe in, we would welcome the good energy here.