KEY POINTS:
Stephen Fleming has experienced more problems with the growth on his neck that needed two operations - but decided to duck a bout of radiotherapy to keep playing cricket.
There is no suggestion Fleming is facing a more serious version or recurrence of the benign growth, rather that
residual tissue from the first operations might flare up and cause more problems.
But because of his concern about possible complications, side effects and a potentially long layoff at a key part of the season, Fleming chose instead to have the problem area regularly monitored by specialists.
The man who underwent two operations in late 2005 - the first to have a wildly growing tumour removed from under his left ear and the second to repair some of the initial damage caused - was scheduled for radiotherapy treatment last month so doctors could be satisfied there was no further cause for alarm.
However, Fleming, who missed the first two Chappell-Hadlee one-dayers last season as he recovered from the scare, told the Herald on Sunday that he'd decided against radiotherapy because of the complex area involved and the likelihood of being laid low at a crunch time of the season - just before Christmas when the Sri Lankans were in New Zealand.
Instead, he is having the trouble spot - along the back of his jaw-line - checked every three months to guard against the possibility of residual tissue from the initial lump causing more problems.
"We're in a holding pattern right now and I'm feeling okay about the decision," he said. "I was supposed to have radiotherapy before Christmas as a preventative measure but now I've opted for regular check-ups instead - and hopefully everything will be fine.
"The big thing is to keep checking that there's no development going on under the skin and that everything remains as it should. It's always in the back of my mind but that's life and I just have to get used to it."
Declared benign in the months before his initial operation, the lump soon began growing so fast that he had no option but to have it removed and tested again - a procedure he admits caused alarm bells to ring.
"I had moments when I got pretty twitchy. There were a couple of times when I felt a bit nervous. But a lot of other people and families go through far worse.
"In the end, it got to the point where it had to come out but I think we were all surprised about how big it was. That was the hard bit. Knowing that they were obviously alarmed but having to wait for the results of the biopsy."
Fleming at least has plenty to keep him occupied in the periods between his check-ups, not least one-year-old daughter Tayla Grace, who was born about a month after the initial surgery and is now eyeing full toddler status.
"I'm loving this part of my life but I'm also finding it terribly hard to be away from the girls. It's been full-on since Tayla arrived and I'm enjoying every moment - she's just got to the stage where she's standing and pulling herself up on the furniture.
"We've got our hearts in our mouths at times as she gets used to moving around and balancing but to be honest, I couldn't think of anything more rewarding [than parenthood]. It really is great. It tends to put my cricket into context."
Fleming has now captained the side for the past decade and last week became the first player in history to play 200 ODIs as skipper.
However, some poor individual form, combined with New Zealand's patchy record this season and rumours about disharmony in the camp, have made his job more difficult than expected.
Fleming agrees that New Zealand needs to start winning more consistently and that he needs to score more runs but insists there's no foundation to questions about the squad's morale or his own captaincy form.
"I've seen a few criticisms of my captaincy and I've been quite surprised, really," he said. "I think tactically, we've been very smart and have done everything possible to give ourselves the best chance.
"I'm still not sure of the basis for those comments. It's not all about coming up with fancy fields and employing four gullies for the Damien Martyns of this world. It's more about getting the basics right and taking your opportunities when they arise.
"For what it's worth, I think my decision-making's been very good."
As for the recent speculation about player unrest or rebellion, he said some reports had been "wildly inaccurate" and almost the polar opposite of the actual situation within the camp - which was one of togetherness and trust.
"We've got a much better operation now than we've ever had," he said. "I know that a few years ago, I wanted more control of the team but this is far more professional and effective and rather than just empowering me, it's empowering everyone.
"Having one strong leader might seem fine but it eventually becomes very difficult to manage behind the scenes and it's also massively taxing. It's impossible to maintain your energy levels over the long term.
"I don't think things have ever been more inclusive or open. It's about complete and total honesty within the side now and while that can be at times a brutal environment, it's far more transparent."