I Can’t Have a Rupturing Appendix Right Now, I’m Leading a Client Call Later Today

Miles Tone sat on the edge of the examination table, clutching his lower right abdomen, while the ER doctor explained that his appendix was dangerously inflamed and required immediate removal.“Okay, I hear you,” Tone said, pulling out his phone with his free hand. “But I really cannot do an emergency appendectomy today. I have a client presentation at two o’clock. Can we slot the surgery in for Thursday evening? I have a gap between five and six.”The doctor explained that an inflamed appendix is not an elective procedure and that it could rupture at any moment.Tone winced as a sharp pain hit him, but he kept his eyes on his calendar app.“Right, but if it ruptures, what is the actual downtime?” Tone asked. “Because our yearly offsite is next week. Can I still lead the afternoon breakout sessions? I am willing to compromise on a mild cough if I can take it on mute. But I cannot be completely offline.”The doctor reiterated that surgery needed to happen within the hour and instructed the…