Miklos has had three prior hospitalizations for bladder cancer. The first was as an outpatient, and he was released the same day. The other two have required hospital stays. Since 2010, his regular cystoscopies have always revealed some new polyps or cysts, but they have been small enough to be shaved off in the office.

This time was different. The cancer is back in a particularly vicious form — cysts that will begin to bleed if they are not removed. The problem is that at 88, Miklos may not be a good candidate for surgery. We are awaiting a stress test, which could not be scheduled until mid-September, days after his surgeon had hoped to perform the operation. We are on a waiting list in case there are cancellations before our scheduled date.

We are fortunate to have a very kind as well as capable surgeon. When I asked whether a surgery center would be possible, he replied that they are fine if everything goes well, but if there is any sort of complication, a surgery center can’t handle it. He said that Miklos is too important to him to take the risk. He wants to be sure that he has the best anesthesiologist, the best surgical nurses, and the best possible team to take care of him.

Miklos does not seem particularly stressed by the news. Perhaps he doesn’t fully understand the danger. Perhaps, he just trusts Dr. Lieb to make everything come out well. The two of them definitely have a mutual admiration society. I share in his admiration for Dr. Lieb, however, I am feeling the stress.