In this episode of The Broken Pack™: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss , journalist and author Steven Petrow joins Dr. Dean to discuss various aspects of sibling loss, grief, and medical aid in dying. He shares his personal experiences with losing his sister, Julie, to a six-year ovarian cancer experience, navigating his responses to her choice, and their perspectives on end-of-life choices. The conversation highlights the importance of privacy, listening, and respecting the wishes of cancer patients and etiquette in both grief and cancer. Steven Petrow also shares Julie’s voice and hopes for expanding access to medical aid in dying for terminally ill individuals. This episode also sheds light on the unique dynamics of sibling relationships and their influence on individuals' identity and well-being.
Content warning: This episode discusses Medical Aid in Dying.
Links Mention and Other Related Links:
Clearity Foundation - https://www.clearityfoundation.org - An organization that Julie, Steven, and their family found support from. Clearity supports people with ovarian cancer and their families.
Empathy Cards (some may be snarky, others are not, sibling loss ones support The Broken Pack™)- https://tinyurl.com/34ab2js8
FAQ on MAiD- https://www.compassionandchoices.org/resource/frequently-asked-questions/
Steven’s articles on Julie & on MAiD
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/28/opinion/medical-aid-death-choice.html
NPR Article on Steven learning to understand Julie's choice- https://tinyurl.com/a7x3p58h
Steven's website: https://stevenpetrow.com
Steven's article on cancer etiquette -
https://www.mariashriversundaypaper.com/steven-petrow-cancer-etiquette/
NPR Science of Siblings https://tinyurl.com/kj53c2ez
If you would like more information or to share your own adult sibling loss story, please contact me, Dr. Angela Dean, at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com.
Please like, subscribe, and share!
Please follow us on social media:
Facebook: @BrokenPack
Instagram: @thebrokenpack
TikTok: @the_broken_pack
YouTube: @thebrokenpack
Sign-up for Wild Grief™, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.com/newsletter
Thank you!
Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT
Credits:
The Broken Pack™ Podcast is produced by Not Done Here Media
"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024
Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. MYLWD.)
Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean
Licensed for use to The Broken Pack™
Now available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3vx3kk46
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.