The next morning we met with Dr.

Nora Patel, the specialist coordinating his care.

Callum asked me to stay, and for the first time the medical words were spoken in a room where we sat side by side.

There was a growth pressing on structures near his spinal cord.

Its exact nature had not yet been established.

The team was planning a procedure to obtain more tissue and relieve pressure if they could do so safely.

Dr.