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.”

…

sure you want to

speaking, can still live.” The nurse in charge explained

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

should know those symptoms

bone marrow. The bone marrow

with growth factor for four to five days in a row. We will collect hematopoietic stem cells. Then normally

your condition is

stem cells is not entirely safe. There is still

condition is

are you sure you’re going to

pen and signed her name on

surname James?” The nurse was

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

The nurse was puzzled….

…

home, she saw a man

leave and walked to him.

She said slowly.

at her with his dark eyes. “OK,” he said in a

didn’t you call

your words first. You agreed

Why was he here?

meant he bothered

He didn’t deny that.

still dark, he

“Where did you go?”

an

“I didn’t go anywhere.

“Oh … I see.”

implication in

be busy with work at that time. He couldn’t know where she

not going

his eyebrows and noticed that she did not take

promised to leave me alone for some

at her. “Alright, I’ll give you

into the elevator,

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

and she lowered her

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

Virgin Mary. She was aware of the dangers of bone marrow donation. Even the risk should have been small,

marrow was her

depended entirely

to take the risk

the James Group was on the right track, grandfather’s efforts would not

ruined in her hands. She didn’t let her late grandfather down. She didn’t care if his love was

she had already made the decision to find a bone marrow donor for her brother.

had made up her mind when

that Payne would take charge