Something Left

We went to see Abi’s surgeon about a week after she was discharged. “Abi’s operation went really well,” he said, looking pleased. “I got most of the tumour out,” he continued. “Unfortunately, some of it lay between two major arteries and I felt it was safer to leave that part of the tumour well alone,” he told me. “I’d rather have a happy, healthy Abi, rather than take a chance and risk compromising her,” he said, finally.

I was grateful to the surgeon. I was pleased that he had given her another fighting chance. But I had reconciled myself to more surgery by thinking that he was going to remove all of her tumour. I was upset and very frustrated when I was told he hadn’t. I felt cheated. As though we were back at square one.