More than 12 months on as it seemed the oncologist forgot to get the tests last time around!? Either way, back into hospital for CT scan of abdomen and chest, along with chest x-ray.
First CT scan I have had for a year - they don't like doing them very often due to the inherent risks of the high levels of radiation. CXR is lower on radiation so have those every other check up...c. Every 4 months.
My bloods are taken every time I go because "why not", although in my case my bloods never showed anything in the first place so any increased markers would potentially be something different...
Either way, the results were all clear. A major milestone in my journey. To be honest, I had been guilty of becoming a little blasé about the check ups, especially those that didn't involve a CXR, but on the day of this check up I had a bit of a reminder of the uncertainty and fear that was so prevalent at the start of this process.
My next check up is in February - 4 months time.
So, time for reflection, I guess. To be honest, for the last 6-8 months my life has felt like it has been pretty much back to normal - exercise levels have been back up to, if not beyond, where they were before, and the normal worries of life have regained priority.
I have made some changes, I am more aware of my health, I am drinking less and doing more exercise, but everything else is disappointingly similar to the way it was before this all started.
I only say "disappointingly" as, when I was in the thick of this disease, I was resolute about how I was going to enjoy life to the max and never again let ordinary things worry me. I'm just not sure I have done this to the extent I would have liked.
That's why it is good to have these regular reminders of how it could have been - and to some extent it is good that I still have some form of focus on how good life is without the worry of cancer. I have just found it too easy to drift back into old habits again.
Either way, I don't want to be too down on this... VERY pleased with the result, and more than happy to have had a positive result.
