Katara was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at 5 years old. She is in treatment.
What’s one thing you wish you had known in those first 48 hours?
“I wish I had known how to deal with the guilt. I felt guilty that I hadn’t prepared Katara for what was about to happen. She went from her normal life into a completely new and scary place, surrounded by machines, doctors, nurses, blood transfusions, EKGs, procedures, and words she had never heard before. I hadn’t taught her what any of it meant because I never imagined we would need to.”
What helped you the most in those first 48 hours?
“Our family and the love and support even from those who didn’t know Katara as well.”
What is one moment in those first 48 hours that you’ll never forget?
“My sister is a trauma nurse, and I gave her my phone to help me understand Katara’s labs. She looked at my phone, then sat beside me, looked me in the eyes, and said, ‘Be strong. Brace yourself. Katara is watching.’
Then the doctors walked in.”
If you could go back, what’s one thing you’d tell yourself?
“You are allowed to be tired. You are allowed to take a break. Sleep. EAT SOMETHING. Katara needs you, but she also needs a mom who is taking care of herself, too.”
This First 48 story was submitted by Keke.
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