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 donate bone

person with only one kidney, medically speaking, can still

health and can’t lift heavy things. They would easily

should know

said that human body can regenerate bone marrow. The bone marrow is like leeks

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

your condition is

of hematopoietic stem cells is not entirely safe. There is still a small risk. Although it is

condition

are you sure you’re going to do

for any consequences.” She picked up the pen and signed her

surname James?” The

said indifferently, “My grandfather’s surname is James. I have changed

The nurse was puzzled….

…

she saw a man at

to leave and walked to

She said slowly.

his dark eyes.

didn’t you call

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

Why was he here?

meant he bothered

He didn’t deny that.

eyes still dark,

“Where did you go?”

was an ordinary

hands into her pockets and said calmly, “I didn’t go

“Oh … I see.”

was implication in his words. But she

be busy with work at that

not going

eyebrows and noticed that she did not take out the keys to

to leave me alone for

as he looked at her. “Alright, I’ll give you

walked into the elevator, staring

want you to be there for me for the rest of your life,” he

suddenly trembled, and she lowered her

elevator door had closed. She took out her keys and opened the door. Walking into the dark room, she felt like she

Virgin Mary. She was aware of the dangers of bone marrow donation. Even the risk should have been small, it might not be the case for

bone marrow was her

depended entirely

dared to take the risk

was on the right

didn’t let her late grandfather down. She didn’t care

decision to find a bone marrow donor

her mind

would take charge of