The Specialist 2

Red eyed and stubbled he leaned me towards the screen
Showing carefully what he had seen-
Light grey blobs invading my pancreas
and scattered on my liver
Unwanted detritus.

Cautious, he weighs his words.

"One thing is good - the pancreatic mass is easy to access.
We can do laparoscopic surgery on that."

We smile.  Encouraged.

But  - always a "but"-

"The tumour may be of a certain type
That we will not excise because it is
Too virulent - no point."

We protest.  "It is worth it" we say.
But his face is solemn now
and closed.

"Liver biopsy will tell us."

Another wait to get my turn for that.
12 days of my shortened life
ticking away.
Patience is key.

But now I feel OK.  Make the best of this
and enjoy the day.