Hi Scottishbride,
ILR premium application is same day by post mine was 4 months. You can apply ILR 28 days before it expires.
what do you exactly mean when you said you have only 5 days to process?
If you will be here 11 Dec 2009 your visa will not run out till 16 Dec 2011
You can apply ILR 28 days before 16 Dec 2011.
Lets wait for the rest feedback as I may be wrong.