Flying time

Only a couple of years ago, I spent my time worrying about my next check-up from 6 weeks after the previous one. Then, they happened every three months. Now, I'm three months away from my Year 4 check-up - it's already 9 months since the Year 3 visit, which I can't believe - and what I'm worrying about now is whether I'll see the nurse or the consultant (if the nurse is away). Most of my visits have been with the nurse, and I feel that we've got to know each other to the extent that I trust her judgement; if she says - as she did 18 months ago - that she thinks I could be discharged as long as I go back if I have any concerns, I would trust that judgement more than that of the consultant whom I've only seen once but who is adamant that I must return because I obviously can't be trusted to make any decisions for myself (that was the implication, anyway). 

In the light of the recent Macmillan report that suggests insisting cancer patients return to hospital for regular check-ups is old fashioned and unhelpful, I think my view of the nurse having the 'right' approach isn't that far off. So, let's see what happens in three months' time; I do, however, feel much more empowered than I did on my last visit, and am not going to be intimidated this time round.