Thanks HaF/Ruby. Fortunately she was already out of danger by the time I heard she was ill so I didn't have to go through any anxieties myself. I didn't realise appendicitis could be that serious
She has now had a permanent "fix" without having it removed (I wanted no more info than that - squeamish)
On a different subject the driveshaft on my Lancia is off centre (unbalanced) A new one would cost a fortune as it would have to be made bespoke so to speak. Fortunately I know someone called Hairy Barry who works on commercial vehicles. Hairy Barry had it put on a special tensioning lathe and rebalanced it - genius. I put some work his way sometimes so he didn't charge me. I would buy him a drink but I don't do that sort of thing anymore