Hiya “H” sorry to learn that your Good lady is having a bit of a rough time at the moment but I hope the New Year will see her on the mend and back to “full ear bashing mode” ! I am just going through not quite the same serious problems at the moment with Anne who has had a serious operation on her left hand, but she had to go under a full anaesthetic which was the worst bit, fortunately she was OK and is now undergoing regular physio but the downside is I have been roped into (on Consultants orders) vacuuming and other quite foreign household chores 
Anyhow Mate I am sure, and sincerely hope, that everything will go OK for the Missus and she will soon be giving you the “Ear ache” which no doubt you richly deserve eh! 
Kindest regards Dennis.