Tick Tock Time

Papa Ding is coming over tonight, having recently fallen to a new low by forgetting Ma Ding's birthday and then, apparently, accusing her of being overweight. Think he might get away with it, due to his illness, but still ... what an idiot, and poor Ma Ding.

Also suddenly feel very strange about seeing him for the first time since I learnt he's having the TX. It's a subject that I've thought about logically in my head but which I have avoided emotionally. It seems an inevitable cruelty that when time is precious, it is also pre-occupied with anxiety about it running out. These are times to enjoy not endure, and yet they are almost unbearable.

Papa Ding

It is finally happening. Papa Ding is booked in for his Bone Marrow Transplant, and the next few months are going to be a big ol' fight to conquer the dreaded lurgy. I know too much about the toll of this process to be filled with joy about it, but I also know that this is a potential life-saver, and could well give poor Papa Ding a few more years on this earth, which he surely deserves. And how amazing that a complete stranger should give him this chance. I don't know who they are, what they do, or even what part of the world they live in, but they (probably some ordinary Joe working 9 to 5) could well be saving a life, by donating a few days of their life, and a few stem cells that they don't need in any case. I just wish more people overcame their scaredyness, ignorance (or in some cases pure bad attitude), to sign up for the same thing. How many times in your own lifetime are you handed the opportunity to potentially, and directly, save a person's life? I think (and I thought this before Papa Ding was diagnosed) that I would feel immensely priviledged to be given that opportunity.... I can't do anything directly for Papa Ding, except be around, support, and keep all my fingers and toes crossed. This is going to be a tough time, but a necessary one.