Connor was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 3 years old and then relapsed at 8 years old. He is in treatment.
What’s one thing you wish you had known in those first 48 hours?
“It either gets easier, or you get stronger. I’m not sure which, but life moves on. The second diagnosis was harder as we thought we were free of the ‘beast’ after he rang in the bell in 2023. I don’t know if it is easier knowing what to expect the second time, or harder knowing what is coming, but it’s going to be okay either way.”
What helped you the most in those first 48 hours?
“I would ‘schedule’ time to be upset. I would tell myself, ‘okay, at 10PM, I’ll cry and let all my emotions out, and then I’ll move on.’ If I felt myself becoming sad or upset, I reminded myself that it’s not 10PM, and I need to focus on something else until then. Journaling also really helped me. Writing down everything – how we felt, nurse names and families that we met. It was very therapeutic to have an outlet. I also forced myself to get outside every day, even if for just a few minutes.”
What is one moment in those first 48 hours that you’ll never forget?
“A small back story: Connor LOVES coins, especially the penny. He is always looking for spare change on the ground. After we were admitted on the 4th of July, 2025 with relapsed B Cell ALL, I prayed so hard for a sign that everything was going to be okay. After getting settled in his room late that night, we found a shiny 2025 penny on the floor of his hospital room. That room became his home for over 30 days straight, and that penny was a small glimmer of hope, and we took it as our sign.”
If you could go back, what’s one thing you’d tell yourself?
“You are stronger than you think, and it’s okay to not be okay. Cancer is a journey, and there will be good days, and bad days, but every day with Connor is a GOOD day.”
This First 48 story was submitted by Sarah.