Dear Reader, This is the story of my journey while slowly cleaning out the closet of my heart following the death of my beloved mother. I wasn’t prepared to lose her. I did the only thing I knew how to do. I kept busy, swallowing every feeling. Then I ended up in the hospital and was forced to stop. While recovering, I began to write these letters. My heart broke wide open; the flood of blocked emotions poured out. Finally, I was able to accept my mother’s death. It’s my deepest hope these letters will bring you, too, a sense of peace. Love, Helen

Dear Reader, This is the story of my journey while slowly cleaning out the closet of my heart following the death of my beloved mother. I wasn’t prepared to lose her. I did the only thing I knew how to do. I kept busy, swallowing every feeling. Then I ended up in the hospital and was forced to stop. While recovering, I began to write these letters. My heart broke wide open; the flood of blocked emotions poured out. Finally, I was able to accept my mother’s death. It’s my deepest hope these letters will bring you, too, a sense of peace. Love, Helen

A Journey of Healing, Courage, and Compassion Through the Eyes of an Adoptee

What happens when your search for belonging leads to both love and heartbreak?

In The Adopted Nurse: A Memoir of Courage, Compassion, and Hope, Dr. Lisa Astalos Chism, a devoted nurse and adoptee, weaves together her personal story of love, loss, and self-discovery. From growing up with loving adoptive parents to reuniting with her birth father through DNA technology, Dr. Chism shares the emotional highs and devastating lows of her search for identity.

In this book, you will:

Explore the complex emotions of gratitude and grief as an adoptee.Understand healing through self-love, acceptance, and resilience in the face of trauma.Discover the power of compassion—for yourself and others—as a tool for healing.Learn about practical techniques for processing trauma and rejection.Be inspired to find courage and confidence despite facing abandonment and loss.

The Adopted Nurse reveals the profound impact of adoption, trauma, and healing on both personal and professional levels.

A Journey of Healing, Courage, and Compassion Through the Eyes of an Adoptee

What happens when your search for belonging leads to both love and heartbreak?

In The Adopted Nurse: A Memoir of Courage, Compassion, and Hope, Dr. Lisa Astalos Chism, a devoted nurse and adoptee, weaves together her personal story of love, loss, and self-discovery. From growing up with loving adoptive parents to reuniting with her birth father through DNA technology, Dr. Chism shares the emotional highs and devastating lows of her search for identity.

In this book, you will:

Explore the complex emotions of gratitude and grief as an adoptee.Understand healing through self-love, acceptance, and resilience in the face of trauma.Discover the power of compassion—for yourself and others—as a tool for healing.Learn about practical techniques for processing trauma and rejection.Be inspired to find courage and confidence despite facing abandonment and loss.

The Adopted Nurse reveals the profound impact of adoption, trauma, and healing on both personal and professional levels.