After a long afternoon of waiting I received a phone call from the surgeon at about 4.30pm to say that the surgery was complete and without complications. The tumour was large, and surrounding nodes were involved, so the decision to operate quickly was confirmed as a good one! Everything that could be removed was. What cancer is left will get some respite while Sue recovers. After that it should be very afraid “cos chemo’s a coming”.

Waiting in Sue’s hospital room was apparently conducive to poetry writing…..

Flutter of love-fuelled care
gives flight and flocks
with wayward thoughts
careless what ifs and
wild imaginings
to weighted worry form

What bliss is found
ahh sweet relief
from burden’s press
and clutch of fear
in seeing
hearing
holding 

Sweet simple joy
deep stare
touched lips
stroked hair
shared whispers
cherished moments

Eternity’s embrace
Heaven’s foretaste