Thank you to my unofficial editor, Karen, for her unpaid editing and relentless support throughout my various operations and chaotic life; to my husband, ‘Eel’, for supporting every harebrained idea I have ever had, including the one to write this book; to my two amazing children, ‘Irrek’ and ‘Mail’, for reasons too many to mention but mostly because they are who they are; to my friend Mia, for friendship, support and love for the past 25 years; to my ‘nurses’, who are so much more to me, but whose nursing/friendship skills are very welcome in my life – Mum, Tony, Catriona and Veronica. I am lucky enough to have friend/nurses in Canada too; they will get a mention in my next book.