Annie’s mailbox: Don’t jump to conclusions
Q. I recently had a conversation with my mother. She mentioned that she and Grandma are not speaking again. She reminisced about how poorly she has been treated by her mother, even as a child.
She then mentioned how her mother donates blood frequently, saying she is a universal donor, meaning O-negative. Annie, if my grandmother is O-negative, it’s genetically impossible for her to be my mother’s biological mom, because Mom is AB-negative.
Family relations with that side of the family are very fragile, and I am fairly confident that my grandmother would never tell anyone the truth about the situation. I don’t have contacts with relatives on that side of the family because Grandma prohibited it. Should I tell my mother? Should I confront my grandmother? How do I start a search looking for the answers on my own? – R.
A.While it is not common for an O-negative parent to have an AB-negative child, it is not impossible. A lot depends on your grandfather’s blood type and other factors. Everyone involved would have to agree to be tested to know more. We realize you don’t much care for Grandma, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t biologically related to you. Bring this up to your mother only if you believe it would be helpful to her and not simply rub salt in her wounds.
Email questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net