Thanks all. It's good to have such friends.

We're back home now and feeling a bit more positive about what is to come.

I have two weeks to go into full organising mode.

I will be working on an entertainment kit for Kendall - a good set of noise reduction headphones and, most likely a basic Ipod stocked with the music he enjoys, his Walkman for tapes and a selection of books. We will have to check if they can supply a laptop or if he can have his in the hospital. whatever we can do to make the stay more tolerable will be worth it in the long run.

I will be staying with his daughter in Derry NH, probably taking Seamus with me, so will need my own survival pack of books and craftwork etc.

His daughters will be involved in the planning, so I don't have to go it alone. We will get through all of this and, with luck and a good surgeon, there could be more voice in the future.