We all have a health scare

Well, almost all of us - Holly and I are OK! Gravel went back to the vet on Monday morning and was told he seemed better; no need to put him under for further investigation, no more antibiotics needed and no need to wear his collar unless he starts licking his paw.

Margaret was not quite so lucky; she went back to the doctor on Monday to get the results of various blood tests. The good news is that blood sugar levels are well under control; the bad news that her cholesterol is sky high - 9.1.

Simon put her on a strong statin - one that's normally given to people who have suffered heart attacks - and she's to start that straight away.

There's not a lot wrong with her diet and, although she's not exercised much since summer (due to broken toe and sore tendons) she isn't much overweight. Simon said the extraordinary high level was down to her genes - it's a family problem. Of course, her dad died of a heart attack and suffered a couple of others before the one that killed him and brother Norman died of a heart attack at just 41.

Graham, Harvey, Janet and Phil have all had heart attacks and Janet's would have killed her, although there were other complications.

The results have really spooked Sam, which is a bit of a worry as he will understand the implications better than most. When Margaret said her cholesterol was high and asked him to guess how high, he said six - nine was off his scale. Sam is now concerned that this could be a family condition and he's going to have a test himself to see where he is; he's also contacting Tom and Max to suggest they do the same.

I put it to him that Norman was grossly overweight, a smoker, heavy drinker and he suffered his fatal heart attack working out in the gym after eating a meal. Sam pointed out that there are lots of overweight people who smoke but don't die of heart attacks at 40.

If the children are lucky, they'll have inherited my cholesterol (3.6 when last checked) and Margaret's blood pressure (low 80s). If they're unlucky, they'll get my blood pressure and her cholesterol. You don't know what you're getting passed down from your parents.