What my mom thinks

Newly Diagnosed2008
Written By Liz Salmi

My mom sent me this letter:

I was feeling so guilty about whether or not I was a good mom... Not being around as much as I should be. But I am what I am—what can I do?

I love you deeply and cry when I think of all you are going through. Your friends are better family to you than the rest of us. We never thought of "strong" "healthy" independent Liz as getting sick. We should all be closer, but our lives have taken us in different directions and each of us is very independent and don't ask much of each other.

So, as I said to Bill, your brother—I just try to stay healthy and strong to not be a burden on my children.

I am very proud of each of you--you are all so different but each of you are like me in many ways.

Liz Salmi

Liz Salmi is Communications & Patient Initiatives Director for OpenNotes at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Over the last 15 years Liz has been: a research subject; an advisor in patient stakeholder groups; a leader in “patient engagement” research initiatives; and an innovator, educator and investigator in national educational and research projects. Today her work focuses on involving patients and care partners in the co-design of research and research dissemination. It is rumored Liz was the drummer in a punk rock band.

https://thelizarmy.com
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