Good news for a change, I spent yesterday afternoon at the eye hospital again being prodded, poked, dilated and puffed at - the final result being a pat on the head from one of the selection of surgeons who've basically spent Christmas and New Year with me. Notwithstanding the latest wobble over Hogmanay everything finally seems to be settling down in my right eye, it's not great but it's not making them wince with alarm and wheech me off to emergency surgery either. In fact they're so happy with it they've decided they can wait a whole week before they see me again. Thank goodness. I shan't miss them although fair play to them - out of the six surgeons involved I've only actually wanted to punch one of them - which in my bountiful experience of consultants must be something of a record. They're already eyeing up my left eye for its turn at cataract removal though, I'm informed that this time they're going to do it under general anaesthetic to try and avoid the problems they had with my right one. Fingers crossed, I really don't want to go through this little drama again. Further down the line they might have to do some reconstructive work but we'll just have to wait and see how things heal. So! Some approximation of normality Is restored! Thanks a lot for all the supportive comments of late, they've been much appreciated :)

I'm hoping that after next week they'll let me play my woodwinds again (I've been warned off in case all that blowing raises the pressure too much in my eye). I can't exaggerate what a difference playing music again has made to my mood and general outlook on life and I am really, missing them, particularly my humble little tin whistle which has been my firm favourite lately. Of course I still have my bodhran and guitar so all is far from lost....still that whistle looks awfully lonely sitting there by itself...