29th September 2009

I arranged to have my dressing removed and the wounds cleaned by the local nurse. The surgeon had covered the scars well, and despite all attempts at making the process painless, I can say having the protective plasters removed was more uncomfortable than have the moles taken off. The nurse informed me the scars were healing well. I was told to keep the area clean, and still be mindful of lifting or overstretching. I then left and returned to the waiting room. My wife and I had made an appointment for my daughter to see the doctor. She had developed a slight rattle in her chest, and we wanted to make sure anything was okay. When they arrived, I took our daughter into see the doctor. It was same doctor who referred me to the dermatologist all those weeks back. He must have been checking up on the paper work because as soon as I entered he asked me if I’d been to have some stitches removed. I told him it was more the removal of dressing because the stitches were soluble. This led into the reasons for having the stitches to begin with. He seemed pleased I’d had Clarence removed. He then added that if doctors are concerned enough to refer a patient to see a specialist, then surely this would be justification enough to warrant having a mole removed in the first instance. The bureaucratic red tape one must undertake in order to have this procedure isn’t something he agrees with, least that’s what his comment implied. And, as I have found out, going through the necessary experts means time, which could be a crucial element in battling cancer. I couldn’t comment on this at the time, but I did say I had a week left before finding the results. He then said I’d be fine, but in any case, at least I’ll know for sure and the treatment can begin. I can safely assume any marriage vow involving a doctor must take a lot longer than a normal person, for commitment is a responsibility they do not take to lightly. I can hear the priest now, “Do you take Jennifer Bloggs to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Behind a dead pan stare and feigned compassionate smile, the doctor replies, “That really depends on a number of factors, all of which will have to be measured independently and with due care and attention. But if you’re asking me do I love her, of course, but that’s not to say I will remain in love forever and ever because no person can truly see that far. But yes, for the short term at least, I do, but who knows what tomorrows brings.” And so the rug was once again pulled from under me. Later that night I watched a news report on breast cancer, now the most common cancer around. A woman who had checked her breasts twice daily, and had felt no lumps during any of these checks, had a routine breast scan and was later diagnosed with the disease. I didn’t get the full story, but she appeared healthy in the interview, so I can only assume she beat it. But the one thing I remember her saying was that people are more afraid of getting cancer than actually having it. I can say that’s pretty damn accurate at the moment.