Bubblecar said:

Phone call from the older sister – the immediately younger sister has spoken with the brother’s doctor, and it seems there never was any suggestion of “varices”. In fact the doctor was shocked that we should have thought so, as varices mean serious liver damage.

It was just the brother still in a state of confusion due to the anaesthetic, and mishearing them talking about varicose veins on his legs :)

Anyway he’s having a substantial dinner tonight of soup followed by lamb hotpot with potatoes and parsnips followed by trifle.

Good news!