Love Letters and Other Musings

A Heroic Day

Many years ago

When I was still a couple

My wife was contacted

As a perfect donor for a leukemia patient

I remember the day very clearly

Before I could even ask-

“Is it safe?”

She had decided – “I’m in.”

The patient was a grandfather

Who was not well-

Very not well

And this was his only shot

That was all we were told

The information is all kept very secret

Donors and patients are not identified

So it’s somewhat of an anonymous donation

But it didn’t matter

She was certain in her conviction

And I was going with it-

It was her blood that worked

So it was her call

When we visited with the doctors

Who explained the procedure

I never remember them saying

It was safe

They talked more about the process

And some of the potential complications

And they kept checking

To be sure, she was sure-

She was

The procedure was going to take hours

The doctors were trying a process

Of removing her platelets

Modifying them in some way

And then introducing them into the patient

The truth was

They were going to wash all her blood

Take it out

And put it back in

It was tricky

But not unreliable

And when the day came

She delivered

The procedure looked a lot like dialysis

But with a modified machine

And a much longer time table

Much much longer

But as the day wore on

And she delivered the goods

We just waited and watched

Waiting to hear they had all they needed

We never really talked much about it after that day

I don’t exactly know why

But I guess it was more of a duty to mankind

Than any kind of heroic event

But it was heroic

And many months later

My wife received a letter from the patient’s family

It was a thank you for helping

The procedure had worked

And their grandfather had lived many more days

It was heartfelt

And sincere

And truly all that was necessary

Because my wife had given something you can’t buy

And that was the courage to take a risk