Or the same one I had before? Or is it maybe a new one that’s popped up (and popped out) since my last emergency op just over a year ago? What I do know is that there’s a lot of discomfort – I wouldn’t exactly call it pain – in the area to the right of my belly button. I’m not sure if this is something that started a few months ago, or if it’s always been there. Well, “always” since the first ops. I think I’ve become so used to a certain level of pain or discomfort along the scar lines criss-crossing my abdomen that unless it becomes PAIN I don’t do anything about it. Except that yesterday I happened to glance in the mirror before getting into the shower (something I usually try to avoid) and saw that my belly button was doing a serious “outy”. I gingerly pressed on the bulge and it felt all squidgy, as if there was liquid inside, which immediately made me think of the liquid build-up around Azar’s tumour that eventually burst, so I was suddenly very nervous.

Luckily I had an English class with my student/friend/neighbour/GP Agustín last night. Our classes don’t usually start with me hiking up my shirt, but I have to admit it was a relief not to have to rush to the hospital. Agustín thinks it’s a hernia, and said the only real solution would be surgery. Last time (three years ago) they just sliced open the area and drained the surrounding liquid, which is why I’m wondering if this is the same hernia. In any case, Agustín is going to refer me to a surgeon to get an opinion on what I should do. Since this has been going on for ages, and the last PET scan was clear, this doesn’t seem to be cancer-related. But it would sure be a bugger to have to have yet another operation. Stay tuned…