It's happening.
It's finally happening. I'm donating to April, and I couldn't be more happy. I'm going to go through pretty much the same thing as to when I got tested, except this time they're taking more bone marrow. I'm not nervous, more so excited. I went on this journey to do one thing: Save April. And that's exactly what I'm doing.
It's been two days since I told April I was her donor. Since then, the doctors have been prepping April's body by giving her twice the amount of chemotherapy. Her hair is now shorter and thinner than ever, and she's not taking it well. April loved her hair, and for a good reason. It was gorgeous. Her brown locks always seemed to be perfect everyday. The rest of April's family and I have been assuring her it will grow back in no time after the transplant. I'm just glad she didn't loose all her hair, I don't think she would be able to handle that. Now, all her hair is is a thin layer that patches on her head. To me, she still looks gorgeous. Hair or no hair. That's a gift of Aprils, I suppose. She always looks beautiful no matter mater what. Don't we all wish we could be like April.
"You nervous?" I ask April.
She shakes her head and sits criss-cross on her bed.
"Are you?"
"Nope. I'm ready." I smile.
"Thank you so much for doing this, Les." She grabs my hand and beams at me.
I shrug her thank you off.
"You would do the same for me."
"That I would." She agrees.
"You girls ready?" Sherrie enters the room along with Sofia.
Me and April both breath a yes.
"Very good." Sherrie smiles. "Lesley, you're coming with me to room 102, where they'll take the bone marrow, okay?"
I nod and turn to April.
"I'll see you in a bit." I smile and hug my best friend.
Even though she says she's not nervous, I can tell she is. She breaths a shaky breath and hugs me back.
"Hey, we'll be fine. I promise." I tell her calmly.
She nods and forces a smile. I pat her hand before moving to stand by Sherrie. Sofia holds Aprils's hand and rubs her back soothingly.
"The doctor will be by in a bit." She tells Sofia and April. "You ready Lesley?"
I again nod and she smiles before leading me towards the door.
I wave to April one last time before leaving the room and following Sherrie to a room down the hall.
The room is identical to Aprils, and has the same exact medical tools they used last time sitting on a table by the bed. The big needle sends a shiver down my spine. I hadn't looked at the needle last time and now that I am, it does make me the slightest bit nervous.
"Ok Lesley, here's your gown." She hands me the repulsive white material. "I'll go get your parents so I can explain the whole process before they put you under general anesthesia."
General Anesthesia?
"I have to get anesthesia?"
"Yes. They will be taking more bone marrow this time, so to be sure you don't feel any pain you'll be put under anesthesia. It's just like falling asleep." She assures.
"Okay..." I nod uncertainly.
Anesthesia seems like a little much. It really didn't hurt that bad last time.
