I'm sorry to hear about the duodenal ulcer Goofy, but the good news is that they can be treated. There is a medication that can be given to heal them, and if that doesn't work, then surgical oversewing is the another option.

As far as the hiatus hernis is concerned, they're extremely common and most people don't even know they have one. I found out by accident that I have one, when I was having some chest pain investigated. Apart from the occassional reflux, I would never know I even had it, had the doctor not seen it when I had the endoscopy.

My thoughts and prayers will stay with him until we hear that he's well on the road to recovery.

As far as the other things go that have been worrying you lately ...............