I've Been There Before

“What … do you mean?” Payne was surprised. Grace turned around. He quickly grabbed her arm tightly and said, “Did you really find a donor?”

He stared at Grace nervously. Grace lowered her eyes when noticed Payne’s nervousness, anxiety, and hope.

The hope of survival.

She smiled and answered, “Yes, I did. You won’t die.”

Pulling his hand away, she seemed to have made up her mind.

When she walked to the door….

She smiled at him. He would never forget that smile.

“Payne, stay strong and enjoy your life.”

Then, the door was closed.

Payne didn’t even have time to say “thank you”.

The next moment, he called Mrs. James excitedly, “Mom, I’m saved! I won’t die!”

He was overjoyed.

Mrs. James couldn’t believe it. She kept asking, “Really? Who is so kind?

I must show my thanks to the donor.

I’ll call your ruthless sister. She actually refused to save you!

Even a stranger was willing to do it.

She should be guilty!”

Payne blushed. He said with embarrassment, “Mom, don’t do that. Grace found the donor for me.”

Mrs. James was surprised at first. Then she said, “Whatever. She is not the doctor. She found a donor for you just because she doesn’t want to donate her own bone marrow.

Do you think she did this for you?

She did this for herself.”

Payne’s face turned even redder. “Mom, I’m tired. I must hang up now.”

Not long after, his attending doctor came and told him that he could have a bone marrow transplant.

Payne hesitated for a moment, but he didn’t ask who the donor was.

The doctor only said, “You’re lucky. From today onwards, I’ll prescribe antibiotics for you as preoperative preparation. You have to take this. After your body indexes return to normal, I’ll arrange an operation for you.”

The doctor added, “I need to talk to your family. The result would come out one month after the operation.”

…

you sure you want to

can

a kidney usually have poorer health and can’t lift heavy things. They would easily get exhausted and

know those

regenerate bone marrow. The bone marrow is

you need to be injected with growth factor for four to five days in a row. We will collect hematopoietic stem cells. Then normally the donor will have a fever for one to

condition is

can fail, and the collection of hematopoietic stem cells is not entirely safe. There is still a small

condition is

you sure you’re going to

I’ll take responsibility for any consequences.” She picked up the pen and signed her name on the donation letter—Grace Shaw, the name on

surname James?” The

indifferently, “My grandfather’s surname is

The nurse was puzzled….

…

she saw a

and leave, but she resisted the urge to leave and walked to him. “I know you have called me

She said slowly.

his dark eyes. “OK,” he said

didn’t you call me

said, “You broke your words first. You agreed to let me think

Why was he here?

meant he

He didn’t deny that.

eyes still dark, he

“Where did you go?”

was an ordinary

“I didn’t go anywhere. I just had afternoon tea

“Oh … I see.”

that there was implication in his words. But she was not

to be worried. He must be busy with work at that time. He couldn’t know where she had been and what she had

not going to invite me

that she did

me alone for

he looked at her.

around and walked into

want you to be there for me for the rest of your

trembled, and she lowered

long. I’m not sure,” murmured she. However, the elevator door had closed. She took out her keys and opened the door.

of bone marrow donation. Even the risk should

bone marrow was

entirely on

to take the risk before for

the right track, grandfather’s efforts

hands. She didn’t let her late

find

up her mind

that Payne would take