One year later

Today marks the first anniversary of my diagnosis with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). I feel very fortunate to have survived a full year knowing that the odds of doing so are not regarded as particularly high. It is great cause for hope that a further year can be accomplished and if so, even further horizons may lie ahead.

I would like to note here also, remembrance for several people that I have met or made contact with this year who have now died from their disease. Some of these people showed a particular kindness to me in the short time that I knew them.

It is good to acknowledge too that this year I have also met someone who has survived a similar diagnosis of lung cancer for over 15 years and resolve to take particular heed of her counsel.

My back discomfort continues, although sometimes seeming to abate almost completely, it has flared up again in the last few days. We saw a fun flick tonight being 2 Days in Paris and then later, as a special treat, had fresh truffle shaved onto fresh pasta in a butter and cheese sauce.

Oncologist says wait and see

Yesterday we attended a scheduled check-up consultation with the oncologist. There was no x-ray or other imaging performed. Lungs sounded clear. A manual inspection of my lower abdomen revealed no lumps or bumps. The slight discomfort in my lower right back was noted but not considered significant enough to warrant further investigation or therapeutic action at this stage. As I am otherwise very well indeed, the advice was to come back in early March unless any significant change in my health occurs in the meantime.

Earlier in the morning I also visited a GP to attend to some other minor health matters. He had a good poke around in my back and clearly located the recent discomfort as the site of my previously identified bone tumor and fracture on the 12th rib. Unfortunately this investigation flared up the pain rather badly for the rest of the day but it has subsided again to some extent overnight.

Since reporting the pain on my blog late in November, it has lessened quite considerably. It seems that I can often calm it quite easily through mediation and relaxation. I think that my mental attitude to it has relaxed a little too, perhaps helped by having spent some good quality time in the bush focusing very much on my routine.