“What makes you nervous“? This question is asked of me on the day before I am due to go into Darwin Day Surgery for an operation to remove carcinoma from my face.

Over the years I have had many cancers come from my person. The worst was the cancer behind my right here many years ago which my surgeon – also my GP – removed.

I have had two squamous cancers, one of which came close to getting away from me before it was surgically removed.

I am naturally frightened and nervous before any procedure and tomorrow’s appointment with the surgeon’s scalpel is no different.

The anticipation the day before surgery, with attendant worries, makes for a long day.