Mom Skills Should be Patient Skills

Happy Mother's Day to all of you to whom the greeting applies!

I'm happy to be among your ranks. I'm a mom, a step-mom, and a grand-mom (yes, I am!). I love and adore all my children and grandchildren, whether I gave birth to them or not. They are dear to me and I would do anything for any of them.

ANYTHING. Whatever was required.

Sometimes I talk to patients who tell me they just don't care to go to bat for themselves, or they don't know how to do it, so it's easier just to default to doing whatever the doctor tells them to do. Sometimes they just don't feel well enough to spend the necessary effort and time to learn, or to advocate for themselves.

So I'll ask them -- suppose your child was sick like you are? Suppose your child was in pain, like you are? Suppose your child had symptoms like you do? Would you put in the effort for your child? Would you fight on your child's behalf? Would you ask all the important questions, do all the research, or step up to the plate to advocate for your child?

Every single person who has ever been a parent, and many others who have not, says "yes."

So my question, then, is "Well then, if you would do it for your child, why won't you do it for yourself?"

And then patients get it. And I hope you do, too.
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