Delivering Heartbreaking News to a Young Patient | Chicago Med | MD TV 

This has to be the worst part of being a doctor, knowing what's wrong and there's nothing you can do to fix it.

It is hard to believe that Dr. Charles, played by Oliver Platt, isn't a real psychiatrist. He has totally nailed the role!!!

Dr. Charles is such a professional. He manages to deliver devastating news without offering false hope, but at the same time remain compassionate.

I love the approach that Dr. Charles took when explaining the illness by lifting Parker's spirits assuring him that he'd live longer than Parker thought. He made light of the situation and that's admirable behavior (even if it is a tv show).

Damn, the kid imbraced his fate with such bravery. Nice episode

When I tell you I started balling when he was explaining that he was making a “Instructional movie” for his little brother 😭😭😭

I love the word “yet”. I have a cousin who was born with a terminal illness that there’s still no definitive cure for-but even though his expected lifespan isn’t long, each year is a year in which a new treatment, maybe even a cure, can be found. And even though there still isn’t a cure for his illness, each year has brought new hope with reports of longer lifespans among other patients, more effective treatments, and his health hasn’t declined the closer he gets to his “expiration date”. “Yet” is a powerful word.

I teared up when the little boy said that 5 years is a long time 😢

Props to the parents for actually telling him he’s sick and what it is instead of keeping it a secret until later

The kid actor deserves all the awards just for that seizure scene - I actually gasped! Flooded with tears right now, what a great and heartbreaking little story. Making the videos for the little brother, five years being a “long time”, I would hope I would handle such terrible news with so much grace.

A lot of adults/teens fear death. From what I have seen personally, a lot of kids don't. They fear pain and their parents getting hurt. Losing the ones around them. It's cause the kids just live in the moment. They don't care what the future holds too much. Dreams are different. They would even say, it's okay I can still play doctor/police with my toys then. As we grow older we start fearing things. It is why we consider kids as pure and innocent souls. This kid is ready to just leave future in the future and just live in the present times. Calm and collected. He doesn't fear the unknown.

I've been the parent receiving the news of a terminal, incurable degenerative disease for my child. I've been told he will live only a couple more years. My son turns 10 in February. This hit me HARD.

We have made all these incredible medical advances and yet we still can't cure the worst of our illnesses.

man this little kid has such emotional capacity. “am i gonna die?” “yes” “am i gonna die in a year?” “no, way longer than that” and he takes it like a champ. the child actor is a 15/10, what a trooper.

Calling 5 years a 'long time' is very heartbreaking.

I *love* that idea of taking videos. First, on the clinical side, it helps to show practitioners what the beginning stages might look like, especially if photos and video are taken later with patient and family consent. Second, on the personal side, it gives the parents and the family a look back on who the person was and who they are currently, even if little brother might not understand it at the time.

To tell a child they're dying and make him smile is really special

When Sarah cried, I lost it. It reminds you that while medical professionals may seem composed on the outside, they feel such strong empathy and powerlessness that they, too, break down when delivering such horrendous news. I can't imagine how terrible that must be.

If only there were more real Dr's like Dr Charles! He has such patience and understanding, which most actual Dr's just don't seem to have anymore. I know he's a character, but there is such a truth to his acting.

wow this one was a tear jerker. what a brave kid!

Reminds me of the fact of "period of time" for diffeeent age groups: For a kid, months feel like forever. For an adult, years feel like a couple minutes. The reasoning is because of the percentage of life theyve lived.

Goddamn, The kid is A warrior. The guy accept his fate.

These days, when a child has a fatal condition it comes as a surprise to us, as when the parents were bewildered that there was no treatment. As my grandmother told me she never believed in "the good old days" because life is easier now, with technical and medical advances. Her mother lost three of the six children she bore, to things we have vaccines for now.

When Sarah (Dr. Reese) entered the bathroom and broke down, i almost immediately did the same thing. ☹️ I can’t imagine how hard it’d be to tell a child they’ll die soon. 🥺 Let alone, she’s a doctor so she does that a lot! 😢But because they could have a long, long life ahead of them, they could have fun opportunities like marriage, children. But because of Parker’s disease and his upcoming death, he don’t have them. And it breaks my heart. 😭 Not only that, but I’m super emotional. When I see ppl cry, I cry (or at least start to) as well. 😕 Also wonderful acting. 😃 Parker depicting seizing was amazing. And Sarah’s break down was also very realistic! 😊

Best thing about Charles is that he always pushes others to try and try again, and doesn't take over until his hand is forced. He doesn't mind discomfort and difficulty. He welcomes it as part of the learning process. Brilliantly written character.

We underestimate kids so much too often. I know this is a TV show but I know a 9 year old who has now passed away from cancer, who faced it as bravely as this kid in the show. He even made a friend in the hospital and played with her like nothing was wrong while he knew he was never leaving the hospital. I was so inspired by him.

People have no idea how grateful they should be just to be healthy.

not including Dr. Charles' conversations with Reese is unfortunate. Him explaining that this is the most difficult part of medicine, and then explaining how the conversation normally goes, Reese's shock at the mention of the parents maybe wanting the doctors there when they tell the child ("The child actually needs to know.") And then him understanding that Reese wants to ask him to accompany her, even though she can't figure out how to put it into words.

Being honest with kids is often the best way for everyone to deal with harsh situations. They can handle so mich more then we give them credit for.

This is why I love Chicago Med. Sure, this is just a show, but I actually felt sad knowing what the parents would go through. Dr. Charles being one of my favourite characters of the show, too... he's explaining the situation pretty well!

How honest are children. They know that they will die before they become an adult, but accept it, so as not to have their parents suffer.

Life can be so unfair and cruel to those who didn’t deserve it. Especially when it happens to young children.

This is so bloody heartbreaking, I started crying. How do you tell a little boy that he's gonna die in 5 years? Oh, painful!

The fact that he’s making stuff for his brother is the sweetest thing ever

i know this is a tv show, but I cant imagine having to tell another parent that their kid has a disease like that. when my mother way dying of cancer this year we had to go to a cancer hospital, broke my heart to see young kids there for treatment.

Isn't it crazy how kids look for the best in things even when it's bad.

Dr. Charles is definitely the best character on the show. I wish there were real doctors like Dr. Charles.

Dr. Charles is an amazing & well written doctor. He knew exactly how to handle this situation & he knew exactly what to say to this kid. It makes me think of that old trick where you ask your parents for something big first, making your actual ask feel small by comparison. Except this is sad, precious, & wholesome. Manipulation made to help instead of harm; Psychology used for altruism & not selfishness. A great example of what a real Psychiatrist is capable of doing- you gotta love it!

This is so heartbreaking. They did a great job representing the emotion of this situation. It’s even worse because it’s a very real thing some families have to go through

Seth is an amazing young man. Many children are wonderful, brave, carring. His disease has no cure because it is rare and sadly not funded for study to find treatment. Very glad the wonderful doctor told Seth about his condition in words Seth could understand and accept. He did so much better than his parents. Wish the full episode was shown. This was interesting.

He is staying so positive...bless him!!

i just wanna say how much i LOVE reese, she is like one of my favs. the way she cares and how shes improved is so great! love her actress too !!!!

Oliver Platt is incredibly underrated as an actor

This made me tear up. 😢 nothing worst than hearing that you are on borrowed time from the one that is meant to fix you up. 😭😭

Dr charles' impact when giving bad news, feels diferent, even knowing theres no hope left, he makes it feel there is.

The thing with children being told this kind of news they handle it with such strength that it belies their years

My mom is an orthopedic surgeon. She used to work at Valley Children's in Fresno, CA, and one of her coworkers there was a pediatric oncologist. This coworker specialized in treating cancer in children. I remember overhearing her saying something to the effect of, "How do I explain to parents that their child has leukemia and the chemotherapy will make them sicker before they die, and that that is the recommended treatment because it will buy them six months or a year with their child? And how do I explain that through a translator to these Hmong refugees who fled horror overseas, who don't even have a word for cancer, or leukemia, or red blood cells?" I would have been younger than eight years old when I overheard this. To me, this was a message of compassion. Somehow this doctor is still working, still treating these patients. Her patients do live longer now. Maybe that's a comfort too.

The kid took the news better than the parents

God that boy is so pure and innocent! This is so unfair

Okay out of all the episodes of Chicago Med this one made me cry. Man he's so young hes too you young to comprehend something of that magnitude. It killed me when he said "A year?". He is so innocent. Man i wish there was cures for all deadly diseases hopefully one day.❤

Honestly love Dr Charles he’s such a kind and caring guy

What a brave little man. This was very heartbreaking and was also so adorable when he made a video for his little brother to team him ❤

This show is the reason I love my field of adolescent psychology. I am in love with the minds of kids and adolescents because they see the world with the best and purest curiosity of their world around them. Absolutely amazing!

Is no one talking about Dr Reese? I respect her character that shows the world of humans who work in medical...... i have more empathy and view from the writers reminding/humanizing people who has to do things such as breaking news and their perspective, hopefully it brings us humans closer and work together for the better, and seeing each other such as oneself.

I would have done the same as her. Went to the nearest restroom and cried my eyes out for a few minutes. Delivering news to a child is the worst. It's absolutely heartbreaking knowing that a child has a devastating disease. 😭

hes gonna die at only 13-14... whats said is this is a real condition, its mostly picked up when a child is very young and i mean young young, around 1-2 years

This kid is so innocent and sweet man omg 😭

Oh my Lord God above this is absolutely gut wrenching. Poor kid! Those poor parents! Doing everything right and then this happens. 😭 That poor doctor who delivered the news! 😭

2:10 I wish I could hear those words coming from Dr. Manning once and a while.

This hits. I have 2 adult children. It's amazing how strong you can be when you don't have a choice. I want to hug every parent who is dealing with something like this, or has dealt with it. I can't imagine.

Some kids are so resilient. What a nice thing to do for his brother🙏🏽

That child took the news very well. Granted, he probably doesn’t fully understand what’s happening, but still very brave and willing to help others, for when he can’t anymore.

His joy at having 5 years 😢😢

This was heartbreaking no kid deserves to go through anything like this

Sometimes, we aren't inherently brave. Sometimes we need other people to make us realise our bravery. I'm glad Parker had Dr. Charles for that, and I hope Dr. Charles has someone to make himself realise how brave he is, too. :)

Omg bawling my eyes out! So happy and grateful my boy is 12 now and, as far as I know healthy.

Im crying right now because theres times when a kid has something wrong you just cant fix it no matter how hard you try and its awful but you should always take the time you have and make the most of it.

That Kid Took It Like A Champ!

This episode made me bawl my eyes out. My heart broke for Parker

We all need a Dr. Charles in our lives. I love him.

This reminds me of my mom, the doctors say that there are multiple ways to treat abscesses on the colon but they couldn't help her.

Seeing Dr. Reese breaking down in the bathroom crying her eyes out literally broke my heart. I can't imagine what it's like for a doctor, nurse, or even EMT to see a child slowly die from a very rare disease. It's one of the most soul-crushing things to see. Babies, children, animals, veterans, and elderly people passing away break my heart to pieces. Any humans in general but especially listed above... The most vulnerable is very upsetting. Seeing this kid being told that he's going to die in the next few years, he took it so well. Kids are so innocent, God bless them. I know this is just a television show and not real, but the fact that this stuff happens in real life makes it even worse. Dr. Charles is one of my favorite characters on the show, so compassionate. I wish there was more doctors like this in real life. Especially psychiatrist. Dr. Reese doesn't get much credit either, I know a lot of people don't like her but I think she's very empathetic and compassionate. Just very quiet and keeps to herself. I know season one she was just beginning her medical student career, but later on in the seasons she does become a psychiatrist. You learn that she has a really dark past with her father, didn't have a good childhood. She does mean well, she does have her bad moments but I think she's very compassionate. You can tell here in this clip, she was very upset about giving this diagnosis to a very young kid that slowly dying from Krabbe disease. If I had to do this in real life, I would have broken down in front of the this sweet child. I would ask God to give me the strength because I don't know what I would do.

I can’t even imagine what a parent has to go through in real life situations like this. My heart breaks for those parents and my prayers go out to them.

Sometimes when we think Doctors are heartless, it could be a way for them to cope with situations on hand ❤

Oliver Platt has such range I can’t believe he’s the same guy that is in The Bear

Omg God bless any doctor in this position 😢

doctor charles is a *_legend_* !!!

When I was younger, part of me wanted to go to school to become a pediatrician or cardiologist. Seeing scenes like this makes me in a way glad I didn't. I have such a soft heart that you can't win 100% of the time, and I couldn't handle this.

It’d be so hard for me not to cry in front of the dang kid

Wow my heart can't take it , hearing this as a parent

I don’t know why but this episode shattered my heart. Just imagining my own child and being in the parents shoes… my gosh. My girlfriend and I suffered a miscarriage and this just brought up what I thought was in the past. I imagine what could have been and it breaks my heart every time.

This just broke my heart 😢 💔 I’m trying to remember it is a show . I couldn’t imagine knowing my child only has a few years . And the way he just gracefully took in the information 😢 ughh

Everything keeps complimenting the characters in this show The writing and acting in this show is incredible, like a ridiculously high standard consistently

His bravery made me cry

Never seen this show but thats one heck of a way to deal with that sort of thing hats off to that kiddo.

It's so hard to tell if they are acting they are that good

Nothing more devastating than learning that your kid is dying.

Even if he's alive being in a vegetative state isn't living. I'd rather die than live like that.

I don’t know where this show casts the kids…they are some of the best child actors I’ve seen!

This is the reason I never pursued being a veterinarian like I wanted. I wouldn’t be able to seperate my personal feelings from professional. Would be way too hard. It takes a special kind of person to do this stuff

Can we please talk about how sweet this kid is literally told he was going to die in five years and his first thought is ‘I need to make instructional videos for my brother so that he can learn the things that I learned if I’m too sick to teach him’ I know they’re TV characters and stuff but if this was actually real, I would’ve literally been crying for the little brother who would eventually lose his big brother😢 my best wishes to everybody who has family members who get this disease

if you ever want to cry watch the show. Talk about sadness

Honestly just seeing the parents be fine makes me happy I've seen a lot of videos with awful parents

You will never see a O.G cry in front of nobody only when he's alone

How awful you get to sit there and watch your own child shrivel away.. children are supposed to bury their parents not the other way around.. as a mother myself this episode broke me in half

Sometimes the truth is the best. As sad as it is, everyone could live honestly despite the inevitable

My 4 year old niece started tripping up when there was nothing there. She eventually got MRI scans and found out she had a very rare disease called Leigh’s disease. My sister was told her daughter would probably only live 7-9 years maximum and they were going to put her in a hospice for kids. 2 days after saying this beautiful 4 year old kid would only live 7-9 she died. A couple days later. Absolutely heartbreaking. She never even made it out the sick kid’s hospital before her heart stopped a couple times. They managed to bring her back once but pretty much straight at the back of it her 4 year old heart stopped again 💙🙏

Absolutely heartbreaking man I cried at this episode.

doctor charles might be the love of my life

Who else was crying in this episode😭😭