Carol, cancer doesn't understand about insurance cover and intro periods. It just goes right ahead and kills you, unless you get early diagnosis and treatment. But God willing, this thing of Bobert's won't be so serious.

I've had heated discussions about the relative merits of our two systems with American colleagues who all claim that, where health-care's concerned, The Amurrican Way is best. I'm so glad I didn't have to worry about lack of funds and insurance intro periods when I needed over two years of fairly constant treatment. Many consultations, numerous scans, thousands of pills, seven or eight hospital stays, two lots of major open abdominal surgery - they did the work, first class service, didn't cost me, or my private health insurance provider, a bean.

You people need a decent universal Health Service. Let's hope Obama comes up with the goods.

Good wishes Bobert, I'm rooting for a good outcome for you.