A few weeks ago, a CT and MRI came back with an astonishing result — no visible cancer. Two days later, an ultrasound of my thyroid. Nothing to do with the current fight, just a standard follow-up to cancer #1, almost six years ago now.

Yesterday I met with my endocrinologist at Champalimaud, same office area as my oncologist. We started 45 minutes late. Another reminder: always book mornings. The afternoons are always late.

He ran through the bloodwork — TSH, Free T4, Thyroglobulin, Anti-Thyroglobulin antibodies — and reviewed the ultrasound. The same few nodules are growing slightly. Nothing to worry about right now. Fifteen minutes. He asked if I had any questions.

"Yes. Is Dr. Ana Clara in the office today?"

"Yes. Let's go find her."

We found her immediately. She saw me, held up two almost-pinched fingers — a few minutes.

Ten minutes later, we walked into her office. She had a note on her desk to call me back that afternoon. I'd emailed her the day before.

Her face was already concerned when she started. "I heard you requested a delay to the surgery date."

"Yes. I have something I want to do with my family."

"Is it something that must be done?"

"No. It's something I want to do with my son. But it isn't a must."

A long pause. The concern didn't dissipate. I realized this was serious, and my heart sank as I thought Soren would be heartbroken.

"I want to take my son to a concert. It's the NOS Alive festival, to see the Foo Fighters."

A smile. "Foo Fighters, that's a good band. I like the Foo Fighters."

She thought it over out loud. "I was thinking to myself, a concert, can't you see a concert another time? But then you said Foo Fighters, here at NOS Alive, and it all made sense. A concert — you can't see it again, and with your son."

The NOS Alive festival grounds are less than 3km from Champalimaud.

"My concern is the toxicity to your body. You've had so many chemotherapy treatments."

"I know. My body is in a lot of pain."

She pulled up the calendar. I confirmed the concert date. She made a phone call.

"If I must do the surgery earlier, you can have my concert tickets."

We both laughed. Then the professional tone took over. She shook her head — no, she couldn't do that. Some doctor-patient thing, I figured.

She ended the call. Another chemo, and the July 12 surgery week stays. Chemo #9 next week, June 2nd. That leaves five weeks for my body to heal before the surgery.

I pulled up my website on my phone to double-check that the Foos concert is on July 10, and noticed that Tina and I have tickets to see David Byrne at the Cool Jazz festival on July 13. The surgery date isn't set yet. I'm hoping for later in the week.

I decided not to press my luck.