So far it’s been a big week for me. I’ve worked my last retail shift and have retired — so now I can spend more time on my writing. A couple of days ago I had an appointment with my lung specialist who I haven’t seen for fourteen months. Two years ago after being referred to him for uncontrolled asthma, he sent me for a CT scan and found a small tumour in my lung. After telling me that it was cancer and I’d need more tests before he sent me to the surgeon to organise to have that lobe of my lung removed, I embarked on another series of investigations. In the meantime I’d been to see my naturopath to get some sort of natural treatment started and this helped to reduce the panic that was ever present after the diagnosis.
The results came in; my PET scan came back warm instead of the expected hot. My lung biopsy returned negative but I was told that they hadn’t got the correct spot and only the fact that I’d had a collapsed lung after the biopsy saved me from having it repeated. Mind you I would have stuck to my guns and said a very definite no!
Gradually the ‘tumour’ began to shrink which had the specialist a bit puzzled — but I’d like to think my natural approach and positive attitude was helping this happen. The ‘tumour’ began to be called ‘the spot’ which was a good step in the right direction. Eventually I was told to wait another year to have my next — and I hoped last — CT scan, which I had last month. Now in the time since I’d seen the specialist I’ve shed eighteen kilograms in weight, begun a gym membership and grown my hair a bit.
So when he came out to the waiting room to call me in he couldn’t see me. I think it was only that Ross was sitting next to me that had him call me in. He said he hadn’t recognised me and that I looked very different since we last met. He wanted to know all about what I’d been doing and how I was faring — then he’d shake his head and say ‘What a transformation!’ — which felt rather good. Then he got down to business and he said that my ‘tumour’ or ‘spot’ hadn’t changed since my previous scan. So it has reduced in size from thirteen millimetres to three and stayed that way for over a year. Now I have the all clear and to keep on doing what I’ve been doing; and it is an enormous relief after the incredible angst I’d been through for the past two years.
Magical words indeed and I feel amazingly blessed to be able to tell the tale. All is well and now I get to live my life without that sword hanging over my head — Awesome.