“They won’t operate on him!” my wife sobbed over the phone, her words tumbling out in panicked bursts. “They say he might not survive the anesthesia!” I pressed for clarity. “Who’s making this decision?” When she named the doctor, I remained calm. “Don’t hang up. Stay with me. I’ll handle it.” I didn’t summon an ambulance. I called the hospital director directly. Five minutes later, the impossible became possible: the surgery was approved, and the team was ready. The phone rang, and I heard my w