Navigating the Eczema and the Medical Maze as a Medical Mom
Do you feel like you need to be a medical mom to advocate and take care of your child with eczema? If you’re reading this, you’re likely deep in the journey of managing your child’s eczema. You’ve tried creams, diets, and various treatments, bouncing between doctors, searching for something that truly works. It’s exhausting, overwhelming, and, at times, disheartening. But you’re not alone.
Today, we’re diving into a powerful conversation with Sarah Michelle Boes, a nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, and dedicated medical mom to her daughter, Meadow. Sarah has navigated complex medical challenges, including severe heart defects and eczema, all while balancing the emotional and physical toll of being a parent advocating for her child’s health.
Listen Below For The Entire Episode on The Eczema Kids Podcast
The Reality of Life as a Medical Mom
Sarah’s journey took a drastic turn when she was 36 weeks pregnant and learned her daughter would be born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a severe congenital heart condition. The reality of parenting a child with chronic medical needs was overwhelming, requiring countless hospital stays, surgeries, and advocacy efforts.
Eczema became another layer to Meadow’s health battle, compounding the stress of her condition. Like many medical moms, Sarah had to navigate conflicting medical advice and find solutions that actually worked. Her experience sheds light on the importance of parental advocacy, resilience, and trusting your intuition.
“At the end of the day, people can make lots of suggestions and prescribe different treatments, but you are the decision-maker for your child. Trust your intuition, ask the hard questions, and find solutions that truly feel right for your family.” — Sarah Michelle Boes
Balancing Medical Advice with Mother’s Intuition
Many parents struggling with eczema encounter contradictory advice from healthcare providers. One doctor might say bathe daily, while another recommends limiting baths entirely. Sarah’s experience highlights the importance of trusting your instincts and being an active participant in your child’s care.
How to Advocate for Your Child Effectively:
Find a Support System: Whether it’s a spouse, friend, or online community, you need people who understand your journey.
Ask Questions: Never hesitate to request clarification on treatments and potential side effects.
Do Your Own Research: Medical professionals have expertise, but they don’t always have the whole picture.
Trust Your Gut: If a recommendation doesn’t sit well with you, seek a second opinion.
Managing Eczema in the Midst of Other Medical Needs
Eczema often comes hand-in-hand with other conditions, requiring a multi-faceted approach to healing. For Meadow, this meant tackling her skin issues while managing heart surgeries and recovery.
Steps Sarah Took to Heal Her Daughter’s Eczema:
Environmental Control: Assessing household factors like pets, dust, and detergents played a key role in managing symptoms.
Daily Baths: Hydration proved to be a game-changer. While some doctors discouraged frequent bathing, Sarah found that daily baths, paired with the right skincare, helped immensely.
Targeted Skincare: Instead of relying on prescriptions with potential side effects, she sought more natural, holistic alternatives.
Dietary Adjustments: Though Meadow had minimal allergies, identifying and eliminating potential triggers helped reduce flare-ups.
The Emotional Toll of Being a Medical Mom
The emotional weight of advocating for a sick child is immense. Sarah describes experiencing both grief and anxiety, oscillating between feeling helpless and feeling overwhelmed by too many options.
How to Cope:
Connect with Other Parents: Speaking to others who understand your experience can provide much-needed support.
Seek Therapy or Counseling: Processing emotions with a professional can be invaluable.
Take Time for Yourself: Finding joy outside of your child’s medical needs is essential.
The Power of Community and Advocacy
Sarah’s experience as a medical mom has led her to advocate for better healthcare and research funding, particularly in the congenital heart disease space. Through her work with the Women of Impact campaign and the American Heart Association, she has pushed for better tracking, research, and policy changes to improve pediatric healthcare.
Her message to other parents is clear: You have a voice. Use it.
Taking Action for Your Child’s Health
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next steps, you don’t have to do this alone.
Join Our Live Q&A Session!
I’m hosting a special live Q&A session on March 6th at 10 AM Mountain / 9 AM Pacific / 12 PM Eastern to help answer all your eczema-related questions. Whether it’s about diet, skincare, or emotional resilience, you’ll get real-time guidance and support from someone who understands your priorities.
🔗 Sign up now at EczemaKids.com/join
Your child’s healing is possible. Keep going, keep learning, and keep advocating. You’ve got this!
More Resources to Support Your Eczema-Healing Journey
Looking for more practical guidance and natural eczema solutions? Be sure to check out our other blog posts on eczema-friendly school lunches, non-toxic skincare routines, and holistic strategies for reversing eczema. You’ll find actionable tips, expert insights, and real-life success stories to help you navigate this journey with confidence. Explore more at EczemaKids.com/blog!
FAQ
How can I advocate for my child’s healthcare needs if doctors are dismissing my concerns?
Always ask questions, request second opinions, and trust your instincts. Write down concerns before appointments and don’t be afraid to push for alternative solutions if conventional treatments aren’t working.
How long does it take to see improvements when making holistic changes?
Every child is different, but many parents see noticeable changes within a few weeks to a couple of months when implementing consistent diet, skincare, and lifestyle shifts.
