I admitted I had too.

We sat close enough for our shoulders to touch.

The clinicians examined him, arranged follow-up imaging, and adjusted the next steps in his treatment and rehabilitation.

We left without every answer, but with a plan and clear instructions about symptoms that required urgent attention.

It was not the news we’d hoped for, and we were both disappointed.

That evening Callum was irritable.

He apologized for snapping when I asked whether he wanted soup.