A Doctor’s Grief Journey: Navigating Child Loss with Dr. Marcy Larson

Bereaved Mom & Podcast guest

Grief changes everything—your heart, your identity, your purpose. But what happens when someone who has spent her career caring for children suddenly becomes the grieving mother of her own?

In this week’s episode of the Grief & Child Loss Support podcast, I sit down with Dr. Marcy Larson, a pediatrician and bereaved mom whose life took a tragic turn when her teenage son Andy died in a car accident. What followed was a journey through unimaginable heartbreak—and a powerful transformation in how she lives, loves, and supports others.

Marcy is also the host of the Always Andy’s Mom podcast, a space she created to connect with other grieving parents and professionals navigating life after child loss. Her dual perspective as both a physician and a bereaved mother gives her a unique voice in the grief space—one grounded in both empathy and experience.

Grieving as a Professional Caregiver

Before her loss, Marcy had spent years comforting families through illness and loss. But after losing Andy, she found herself on the other side—grappling with the devastating reality of child loss and the deep emotional toll it takes. In our conversation, she shares how her grief reshaped the way she practices medicine.

“I’m a better doctor now,” she says. “I understand suffering in a completely different way.”

She now brings a deeper compassion to every family she encounters, especially those facing their own heartbreaks. Her vulnerability has become a strength—and a bridge to truly connect with those in pain.

The Complex Emotions of Mother’s Day as a Grieving Mom

For grieving moms, Mother’s Day often feels like an emotional minefield. The cards, the flowers, the smiling families on social media—it can all feel painfully out of sync with the reality of loss.

Lisa's Book

Marcy opens up about how she prepares for emotionally difficult days like this, and the gentle ways she honours Andy’s memory. She also shares practical ways to cope, reminding listeners that it’s okay to feel a mix of emotions: sadness, gratitude, longing, and even moments of joy.

“There’s no right way to grieve,” she says. “There’s only your way—and it’s okay if it looks different from everyone else’s.”

Turning Grief Into Purpose

After Andy’s death, Marcy needed a way to process her pain—and to make sure his memory lived on. That’s when she started Always Andy’s Mom, a podcast where she speaks with other grieving parents about their loss and their journey.

In our episode, Marcy shares what she’s learned through those conversations, including what grieving parents most need from others—and what well-meaning people often get wrong.

Carrying Grief and Joy

One of the most powerful messages Marcy offers is this: You don’t have to “move on” to move forward. You don’t have to choose between remembering your child and living your life. You are allowed to smile again, laugh again, and find beauty in small things—while still carrying the deep ache of your loss.

Whether you're early in your grief or many years into this journey, this episode is full of wisdom, tenderness, and hope.

If grief feels impossible…Or if you’re searching for someone who truly gets it—

👉 Listen to this powerful episode with Dr. Marcy Larson. Her story will move you, comfort you, and remind you that you are not alone. 🎧 Click here to listen now.

Lisa Boehm, Katie's Mom

PS: I have create different support and resources for different 'stages' or phases of grief. You can check them out here.