life in the old dog yet

We’re in Oxford to see the oncologist for the results of my latest scan.  It’s been 5 years (to the month) since my cancer returned.  Even though we come here every 6 months and the message is always the same - no sign of disease - we can never relax.  We always hope for the best, while preparing for the worst. Because back in April 2010, having been declared free of the disease for over 4 years, an unwanted visitor popped up on the CT scan. 

Today, the official view is that I am now clear of the disease.  Cancer is no more.  The oncologist is ready to discharge me.  Anniemay is not quite so ready - she points out that we’ve been here before - so one final scan next April is booked into the system.

She gives me a big kiss as we leave the hospital, but is reluctant to say that I am free of this thing; it’s just too soon for her.  She doesn’t want to jinx it.

We stop at a garden centre on the way back home to buy some plants - always a sign of optimism - when I spot these dogs.  

Unlike these fibreglass fidos, there appears to be life in this particular old dog yet.