Christopher was diagnosed with leukemia at 12 years old. He is on active treatment, but in remission.

What’s one thing you wish you had known in those first 48 hours?

“How many nights we were gonna spend in the hospital.”

What helped you the most in those first 48 hours?

“Talking with friends and family.”

What’s is one moment in those first 48 hours that you’ll never forget?

“I’ll never forget how hard it was to consent to blood transfusions and chemo. It was that moment that made it all real. I had to walk out of the hospital and I just screamed.”

If you could go back, what’s one thing you’d tell yourself?

“It’s ok. It’s ok to cry/scream but it’s ok. Today starts your new normal.”

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This First 48 story was submitted by Katherine.