Friday 26th April

I visit the outpatient’s department of the local hospital to firstly have the stitches removed from my back, a simple, painless task, then to meet the plastic surgeon consultant. He breezed into the room, crisp, white, open-neck shirt with cufflinks, stuck out his hand to shake mine, not looking at my face, but down at my foot. “Ooohhhh, aaahhhh, hhmmm” Right, not sure what it is, but most likely a melanoma. It has to come off, and quickly. He made a hurried telephone call to his secretary, and I was booked in for the following Thursday.

He was efficient, professional, and incredibly caring and I knew there and then, I was in the best possible hands.

Things really were beginning to move along fast.