Family leadership in time of illness

[Katie McGonigle]

Jocko, your podcast inspires me every day. Is there any guidance you can provide to a parent leading his/her family through a period of time when a child is facing a serious illness (cancer)? Keeping their sick child, spouse and other children upbeat and encouraged is a challenge. I am asking for a friend who is in this situation. Also, if Warrior Kid could hook up with St. Jude’s Hospital, to inspire kids and families fighting cancer, it would be awesome. St. Jude’s patients are the real Warrior Kids. Thank you so much.

[mynewunit]

Jocko would defer to Jordan Peterson on this one. Listen to Jordan Peterson on Lewis Howes school of greatness. One of them he talked about making risky decisions with children at risk. He gave lots of good advice on how to maintain your relationship with your spouse with a sick child. He mentioned relying on others to make up for your neglect of your healthy children. Jordan talks about how you have to shift your time frame. You can't plan for 5 years from now. You can't worry about next season, you have to focus on th next 2 days on good days and the next hour on bad days. He did a lot of explaining that the sick kids know they aren't normal, but they don't know by how much. They don't care. It is the parents that dictate the environment. The parents need to maintain control, make progress and make sure that needs are getting met.
The most important thing you can do is give the family breaks from being the sick kid family. There are great organizations that help with this. Seek them out. The way you will know how to help is to be there so much that you can see where there can use help. It might start with doing dishes or making a meal.
Eventually it will become painting a bedroom, taking someone for a weekend away, or helping with the unimaginable task of preparing for mortality.
Jocko would recommend you remember how good you have it. A little perspective. Being sick in North America is a blessing. Take pictures. Enjoy the good days. Survive the bad days. Make the hours count. Smile. Laugh. Make extra efforts when you can. Take care of yourself so you can take care of others.
As far as St Judea, let me know what you think would be helpful. I have a few extra copies of MIKEY AND THE DRAGONS coming. I should be able to send a few their way.
[e-mail]
Brian

[Katie McGonigle]

Thanks so much for this info and advice, Brian. Sending some copies of "Mikey and the Dragons" to St. Jude's would be wonderful - I'm sure they would appreciate it. If you could send them in honor of patient Bridget Korn, it would be terrific.

And some fantastic news: Bridget found out yesterday that she BEAT the osteosarcoma...she's going home in a few days, after 8+ months of treatment at St. Jude's, including the amputation of her lower leg. Her attitude has been incredibly positive, inspiring, and humbling. Warrior Kid!!!!