Hello, Oli here.

Mum, Jen and I have just returned home after sending Dad off to theatre amidst a sea of smiling nurses. He spent last night in hospital getting ready, although I'm sure he asked to be admited early because he's allowed to watch the football there.

He's being a brave boy. All morning different medical professionals have been popping in and out and describing increasingly undignified procedures that will be taking place over the next few days. He still manages to find something funny to say to each them.

I wore my Poobah (special Beale hat, as seen in the blog photo) as a symbol of solidarity. One nurse apologised as she came in, thinking she had interupted some sort of religious ceremony.

All of a sudden it was time for him to head down. This was a moment that I had been dreading and although it was very hard and upsetting, we left feeling totally positive and confident. Jen and I left Mum to see him down to the theatre, that must have been hard for her but she's being strong and brave as she has been all along.

We get a call to find out how it went this afternoon. There are different combinations of factors that make up different variations of good news. I know time is going to drag till then, but I also know it'll all be fine.

Mum will post later.