#28 Navigating Childhood Leukemia and Motherhood During Covid: The Journey of Danielle Moss

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich welcomes Danielle Moss—mom of three, creative entrepreneur, and founder of The Everygirl, The Everymom, and Anecdote—for a powerful and deeply personal conversation. Danielle takes us back to spring 2020, when, in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and just weeks away from giving birth to her second child, her oldest daughter Margot was diagnosed with leukemia. Danielle opens up about navigating unimaginable challenges: the fear and isolation of a pediatric cancer diagnosis during a global health crisis, the impact on her mental health and marriage, and the difficult journey of supporting her family while processing loss, grief, and deferred dreams.

As she shares her story, Danielle reflects on the resilience it takes to endure—and grow through—life’s toughest curveballs. From finding connection with other families on the same path, to learning how to mother differently in the wake of trauma, Danielle’s honesty and vulnerability offer a beacon of hope to anyone facing adversity. Tune in for an inspiring look at survival, healing, and reclaiming joy in the midst of heartbreak.

Listeners Will Learn:

• Danielle Moss's experience navigating her daughter Margot’s leukemia diagnosis during the height of COVID while pregnant with her second child.
• How Danielle coped with unimaginable stress and uncertainty, including strategies for advocating within the medical system and supporting a child through intensive treatment.
• The emotional impact on family dynamics, marriage, and friendships—and how Danielle found support and connection with other parents facing pediatric cancer.
• Danielle’s journey of resilience, authenticity, and personal growth, including how past trauma and challenging relationships shaped her approach to motherhood.
• Practical advice for those facing traumatic upheaval, including the importance of self-compassion, finding peer support, and allowing space for deferred grief.
• The power of vulnerability and community, and how sharing personal stories can help others feel less alone during life’s biggest curveballs.
• Strategies Danielle used to maintain hope, process grief, and carve out moments of joy during an extended crisis.
• The challenges and complexities of parenting while managing anxiety, medical uncertainty, and personal mental health.
• Concrete tips for supporting friends or family who are experiencing trauma or serious illness, including what to say (and what not to say), and how to simply "be there" for someone in need.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Danielle Moss: Resilience and Renewal

(04:12) Facing Parenthood Amid Crisis

(08:5)1 Rethinking Second Opinions

(12:54) High-Risk Treatment Journey

(16:09) Processing Pain as a Parent

(19:46) Coping with Trauma and Survival

(22:52) Grief, Stress, and Finding Normalcy

(23:39) Processing Grief and Loss

(28:57) Pregnancy, Grief, and Parenthood Struggles

(33:23) Children Will Remember You

(35:46) Parental Struggles and Childhood Pain

(40:16) Letting Go of Toxic Relationships

(42:01) Permission to Heal Takes Time

(45:44) Embracing Growth Through Challenges