Wanting It Right

“We’re doing everything we know to do. What did you have in mind?”

He took a deep breath and then let it out. “Like a donation – stem cells, bone marrow, nerve grafts. That kind of thing.”

I’ll admit that I was intrigued by such a question from a 14 year old boy…almost a man, really. What did he really know about such things?

Quite a lot, as it turns out. He’s been researching for the past few weeks, looking up anything he thinks could help and following all of the rabbit trails to their ends. He explained to me about how stem cells work – that embryonic cells haven’t done much of anything, but adult ones have been used for all kinds of things. He told told me about bone marrow, what it does and how it’s collected. He went on to talk about tissue donations and how it could be used for his little sister.

“I guess what I’m saying,” he finally said, ” is that if she needs anything, I’ll give it to her. I know all of these things hurt. I know that they’re not easy, but I want to do them. Please, Mom, won’t you let me help her?”

I wrapped my arms around the brave and generous man he has become, and held him tightly.

“Thank you.” I said. “Thank you for everything you are offering to do for her. We still have no diagnosis, so it’s too early to even think about such things; however, I’m so proud that you would do this for her. I’m so touched that you would offer.”

He sighed and swiped a tear and leaned into me.

“I just want to make it right,” he said.

I know….me too.