lovely sky Neti and that's excellent news about the painkillers. I worked a lot with folk who had high amputations due to loss of circulation and by and large it helped a lot in their general health and well being as it relieves the rest of the body, especially the heart, of a huge burden. I really know "that's easy for me to say" though. The ground floor bathroom and wet room sound like an excellent idea, not sure of the financial circs but there might be a council grant available, although this can slow things down a bit. It might also be helpful for her to talk to the hospital occupational therapists as they can talk practically to her about how they will cope and stuff as they will have seen it before and it might reassure your sis. Going against "received wisdom" here but unless its going to really distress him, then I agree with her about being in hospital over christmas, he will be able to sleep when he wants and so on and will take the burden off her which is important.
The suitcases that I was agonising over free cycling have gone to a nice man whose wife is disabled. They are moving in january and the cases will be just what they need to get clothes packed and ready. They are the ones DH and I used to travel abroad with when he was on the ships which i guess is why it was a bit difficult but you know what, today I feel much better about it. The new lightweight i have ordered is purple, very cheery....back to work now.