'C' Day!

So........I did get some sleep but I was awake for ages in the night before I slept.I drove to the P.A and parked over the road in the Woolies car park as I was not paying the extortionate hospital parking fees. It said I could park there for 3 hours.....loads of time.I walked over to the hospital which looked like a big cruise liner, with its three copper funnels on the roof, moored in its dock under the clear but pale blue sky.It was hot and humid outside but so nice to be enveloped by the cool embrace of the air conditioning as the main door slid open, 'Like Death with his arm around my shoulder saying come with me' I thought.I knew where I was going....up the Orange Lifts to the second floor and then down the corridor to 2F.The waiting room wasn't as busy as last time.....and no one was playing a guitar.I handed my appointment slip in at the desk."Thank you", some tapping on a keyboard and a fixed smile, "Take a seat. You will be called shortly."I chose a seat nearer to where I knew Dr Fanning would come out....so I didn't miss hearing him call me.It was 8.30. I was early.I guess I must be a 'glass half empty guy' because I was pretty much prepared for the worst. I hadn't depressed my self or become overly worried but for me it was easier to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised than to go in all positive and be shattered."Nicholas Allen?"It was a woman.'Oh, no.' I thought 'I want Dr Fanning not this doctor.' I walked over to her."I just need to check your height and weight." Some relief but then.......'Why?' I wondered....'it must mean bad news, they wouldn't do this if they weren't going to see me again.......Oh, no! They are not sizing me up for a coffin are they?'"Take a seat again please."I went back to the waiting room.The woman with the heads on the trolley was there again.....she hadn't sold any.

"Would you like a tea or a coffee?" It was an elderly woman in a bright tabard.'My last request?' I thought.........maybe I was overdoing the preparing myself for the worst bit!"Er.....no thank you." I said. I was stunned that they offered people in waiting rooms tea and coffee anyway.....it is what you would expect only in Heaven."Nicholas Allen?"It was Dr Fanning.'Here we go.'His hand was still cold. He seemed very up beat."How are you?""Fine," I said.......but I had been much finer.....quite often."Well, good news! There was no trace of cancer (the first time the 'C' word had been used.) It was just tissue and pulmonary matter. It doesn't mean conclusively it is not there unfortunately but it's still positive."He showed me the CT scan of the needle in my back and sticking in the 'lesion.'"And do you see these gaps? That is where they took the samples so I am pretty sure they got it from the right place.  But , I think we need to keep an eye on it and get you back again in 3 months for another CT scan to check it is not growing. Any questions?"I wasn't going to mention it but perhaps though I should while I had the chance."Well, a couple of times I have felt nauseous, broke out in a cold sweat and felt weak but it passed. I have been thinking, 'Ooh, does it mean I have cancer?' "He pondered it....but didn't say an outright 'no.'"Pretty non specific," he said "but if the symptoms continue or get worse ring here to make an appointment."I shook his cold hand again and left.It was not what I had expected to hear but it was good.I sat in the glass enclosed atrium and texted and messaged the good news back and forth for half an hour before heading home once more to Shirley and Dulcie.