If anyone noticed I was gone for a few days (you probably didn't - i'm not so important here!) it was due to me becoming crippled with pain in the early hours of Sunday morning and carted away by ambulance to have my leaking appendix removed. I don't recommend it at all - the whole thing was more painful than I could ever have imagined possible. But anyway I'm out now and will have 2 weeks to spend getting bored around the house!

Funnily enough I've heard of people getting it removed as a precaution (maybe family history?). But that may be nonsense. In the UK I don't think theres any way you'd get on a waiting list for that. Unsure about private healthcare though - would it be classed as unneccessary surgery?

I'm 25. No way to avoid it apparently. If its going to happen, it will. Or so I was informed.

I think it's just one of those things that happen. Looking on the bright side if you ever become an astronaut then it's one less thing to worry about!

Our neighbours son had his appendix out and then the sister had exactly the same problem about a month later!

My brother-in-law had diverticulitis a while back - it's where a bit of intestine that used to go to the belly button still exists (Meckel's Diverticulum) and perforates or gets infected. They whipped out his appendix while they were in there "just in case".

Gareth

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better soon.

I'm looking forward to something similar, as both of my parents have had to have their gall bladder removed after attacks. Woohoo.

Thanks. Yes, feeling better each day. At least now I have no excuse not to organise my mp3s correctly

Cheers Andy. Yeah no way I'll drive a car for a while yet - just get too sore and stiff. I'm going to relax like you suggest

I've got the week off next week and I intend to spend it re-ripping my music collection. Listening to the mass of music I downloaded from the SXSW festival, watching the backlog of programs on the myth box.... and finally getting that DAB module going on the empeg. All of this and making sure I don't think about work at all!

Lucky you didn't go to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where they have been known to disregard advanced appendicitis until it turns into a burst appendix and resultant peritonitis, which must then be pushed to the end of the operating schedule because it will contaminate the one OR in use that night. Not that I'm bitter, and it was worth three months off school

Everyone should have 'em out!

Rob