Welcome to WNTU and happy Monday! If you missed last week's episode or newsletter on all things retirement, check it out. It's full of genius insights. In this week's episode, we're talking to Janette Schwendeman, a wife, mom to three beautiful kids, and business owner of an AZ-based investment firm. Janette shares her family's experience after her third and youngest daughter, Josie, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (AML) at just 11 weeks old during the height of the pandemic. Janette stayed by Josie's side for 10 months straight in the hospital during COVID lockdowns, unable to see her other children or husband in-person. After finally coming home, Janette recounts the moment Josie relapsed in 2023 at age two and a half, requiring additional chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Josie's six-year-old brother, Caden, emerged as the hero as a perfect bone marrow donor match. Just six months ago, in January 2024, Josie underwent a bone marrow transplant using Caden's cells and as of February, she has been cancer-free and thriving. All thanks to her brother's unbelievable gesture of selflessness and gift of life. The journey of a pediatric cancer family and, in particular, mom, is one that too many families know all too well. Janette openly addresses the lowest lows, highest highs and everything in between since Josie's initial diagnosis. Janette's determination, positivity, perspective and resilience continues to get her through, along with the support of key family members and friends. That said, she also "goes there" and talks about how cancer has changed her friendships, her life overall, and how she kept her family together when the devastating fact is that so many others crumble under the weight of a cancer diagnosis. Here are just a few of the beautiful nuggets of wisdom from our conversation: ✨ The Power of Positivity ✨ Little Moments Are Magical ✨ Cancer Siblings Are Superheroes ✨ Asking For Help Is A Sign of Strength ✨ Reframe Your Life's Challenges Take a listen and let me know what you think. I believe Jeanette's story will resonate with many of you, especially as she talks about navigating a crisis while giving herself and her family permission to feel their way through it. As always, thanks for tuning in and subscribing. If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, please reach out. I'm always looking for new perspectives and experiences to feature. Finally, thank you so much for supporting WNTU and buying me a coffee. I can't tell you how much I love being able to share the guides to navigating some of life's toughest situations, and I appreciate you more than you know! |
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Guest Spotlight: Janette Schwendeman Mom, wife & business owner navigating pediatric cancer |
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Janette Schwendeman is a dedicated wife, mother of three and the co-owner of an investment firm in Tempe, Arizona. In November 2021, her life took an unexpected turn when her youngest daughter, Josie, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at just 11 weeks old. Throughout Josie's battle with cancer, which included a relapse and a bone marrow transplant from her older brother, Janette remained a pillar of strength for her family. Despite the challenges of balancing her career and caregiving responsibilities, Janette's positive attitude, determination, and unwavering love for her children have been an inspiration to her community. |
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Remember The Power of Positivity |
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"Focus on the silver linings. Find the rainbows in the storm. Allow this time to strengthen your foundation and try to dance in the rain. Find joy in the story you're living." - Janette When your kid is battling cancer, staying positive can feel like a Herculean task. But as Jeanette found out, focusing on the good stuff – no matter how small – can help you get through the tough times. One thing that can really help is starting a gratitude journal. Each day, jot down three things you're thankful for. It could be as simple as a good cup of coffee or a smile from your little one. This habit helps shift your perspective and reminds you of the silver linings, even on the darkest days. |
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Another tip? Make a "joy list" filled with things that make you happy. When you're feeling overwhelmed, pick something from the list and do it. Surround yourself with positive people and uplifting content, too. Ditch the doom-scrolling and focus on the good. Lastly, try to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth. Ask yourself, "What can I learn from this?" or "How can I become stronger because of this?" It's not easy, but finding purpose in the pain can help you keep going. |
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Little Moments Become Magical |
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"I still remember the day my daughter crawled, regardless if it was on an IV pole getting chemo. I remember her first bite of food, her first visitors. I remember the positive things." - Janette When your kid is fighting cancer, the little things you once took for granted suddenly become huge. Celebrate those small wins by keeping a milestone journal. Write down your child's progress, from the first time they laugh after chemo to the day they take their first steps. These entries will become treasured memories and reminders of your family's incredible strength. |
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Take lots of pictures and videos, too. These snapshots of joy will help you through the hard times. Share them with your loved ones – celebrating together boosts everyone's spirits. On the good days, plan mini-adventures your kid can look forward to, like a living room campout or a backyard picnic. Having small, fun goals can make life feel a bit more normal, which makes all the difference. |
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Cancer Siblings Are Superheroes |
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"My son, Caden, who wanted to be the donor from the very beginning, was a 100% perfect match for my daughter. At just six years old, he didn't have a tear in his eye throughout the process. It was absolutely incredible." - Janette When a child gets cancer, their siblings' worlds are rocked, too. It's so important to support and include them every step of the way. Start by being honest about what's going on, using words they can understand. This helps them feel in the loop and less anxious. Give siblings special jobs, like making "get well" art or helping with small caregiving tasks. This helps them feel valued and part of the team. One-on-one time with each sibling is crucial, too. Even if it's just 10 minutes of undivided attention, it reminds them that they're still a vital part of the family. |
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Finally, make sure siblings have a safe space to share their feelings, fears, and questions. Let them know it's okay to feel whatever they're feeling. Their ability to process everything that's going on largely depends on the parents' ability to give them a safe space to do so. Patience, compassion, love and support are the name of the game. |
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Asking For Help Is A Sign of Strength |
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"As soon as you get this diagnosis, all the self-help advice about learning to say no, delegating, building community - you have no choice but to do it. You can't do this alone." - Janette One of the biggest lessons Janette learned? Asking for help isn't weak – it's a sign of strength. I know, easier said than done. But when you're dealing with something as huge as childhood cancer, you simply can't do it all alone. When people offer to help, tell them exactly what you need. Maybe it's a meal, a ride to the hospital, a gift card to your favorite restaurant, or someone to watch your other kids. Similarly, setting up a care calendar can be a game-changer. It organizes all the helpers and ensures you have a steady stream of support. |
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Joining a group for families dealing with childhood cancer can be a lifeline, too. Connecting with others who get it can provide so much emotional support and practical advice. Remember, you're not alone in this. Lastly, don't neglect self-care. I know, it feels impossible. But taking even a few minutes a day to do something that recharges you – whether it's a quick walk, a meditation session, or working on a hobby – is essential. You can't pour from an empty cup, right? Taking care of yourself makes you a better caregiver for your child and family, especially in the long-run. |
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Reframing Life's Challenges |
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Cancer -- pediatric or otherwise -- completely shifts your perspective and priorities. The little annoyances of daily life pale in comparison to the life-or-death battle you're facing. Consider an all-too-familiar story from Janette on witnessing people quibble per petty problems. This is the normalcy that cancer families would give anything to have back, yet at the same time are so thankful they've learned what really matters: "I was walking through Lowe's, and I was watching this couple on a Saturday fight about this light fixture, and they were just arguing about what light fixture they should get. And we've all been there, like, what color should we paint the walls? Or, I don't like the picture there, or whatever the argument is in our household. And it's just perspective. Like, we're not taking this stuff with us [when we die]. I'm a financial advisor, and I'm just gonna say, like, you're not taking it with you, and it doesn't matter. And so why can't you find humor in picking out the light fixture and having fun with it? Let it strengthen your marriage versus let it break you down. There's a lot of cancer moms that have said, like, I can't hang out with other people because they're griping about insignificant problems. And then here you are, just trying to fight for your child's life or your husband's life. And I've tried to put it in perspective that, like, what a blessing that that's their biggest problem on a Saturday afternoon. Like, that is absolutely great that they are picking out a light fixture today." - Janette Janette's words remind us to be grateful for what we have, to find joy in the simple moments, and to focus on the people and experiences that truly buoy our lives. Reevaluate your priorities. Let go of the petty grievances that can so easily consume you. Trust me, they're not worth it. |
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WNTU HR Caregiver Program Development |
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Are you an HR professional or Chief People Officer who wants to support the caregivers in your organization but don't know where to start? Enter WNTU HR Caregiver & Working Parent Programming, where I partner with HR and People teams to develop bespoke programming to meet the specific needs of working caregivers. Companies and employees are at a critical tipping point: Employers need to support employees' holistic selves or risk losing them, while employees need to balance performance expectations with outside responsibilities, or else risk losing their jobs. |
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With over 15 years of ad agency, corporate and caregiving experience, I know exactly what support, tools and resources working caregivers need from their employers. Learn more about WTNU's capabilities, like coaching, workshops, HR programming, managerial training and more. |
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