“You need a bone marrow transplant,” I said.

And then he shut down.

Shut down by fear.

I had to nudge him back to love.

I listened to all his concerns.

I observed his body language.

I verbalized my understanding.

I empathized by putting myself in his shoes.

He said, “My blood counts are shot. I don't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the rest of the body. I'll do whatever I have to do.”

He did.

He's still alive.