Joanne, Former Business Consultant, San Francisco

My initial experience with Linda was when I was in crisis, after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer in October 2019.

Having access to her knowledge and expertise (with her extensive history of a nursing and medical background) in navigating the health care system was extraordinarily helpful with all the medical decisions that needed to made rather quickly.

Linda assisted me by making sure my diagnosis was accurate and encouraged me to get a second opinion at UCSF. She helped me to understand the implications of my diagnosis and possible treatments, along with the various types of physicians I would be interacting with. Since my first biopsy was described as a poor quality specimen, Linda helped facilitate my getting a second biopsy, which provided additional vital information for my current treatment plan.

I was bombarded with various decisions & planning that I had to act on fairly quickly. It was a tremendous relief to have Linda by my side to offer her expertise on advance care planning & the pros and cons of various treatment options. She helped me prepare for my oncology appointments by preparing & working on an agenda that we both participated in so it would ensure I get my questions answered.

Linda helped decrease my anxiety by explaining genomic sequencing, biomarker testing, the possible side effects of my chemotherapy& immunotherapy treatments. My siblings live out of state & it was a great relief to have Linda available to answer their many questions & concerns when I did not have the energy to do this myself.

Even during the Covid-19 crises, Linda has continued to monitor my CT reports, blood work & have phone conferences with myself & my Oncologist. My last CT Scan indicated almost no tumors present!

Linda has and still provides continuous emotional support & guidance throughout my care. I highly recommend Linda, as her knowledge & wisdom are invaluable resources, especially during critical times of need.

Kate, Colorado

I hired Linda to work with my father over a period of 1 1/2 years telephonically. My father was still
running his business, but had end stage renal disease, along with many other health challenges. Although Linda and my father live in one state and I live in another state, Linda was able to accomplish the goals I set forth for my father and provide valuable health information that I was not getting from his multiple health care providers.

She was able to review his medical records, educate and coach me on my father’s numerous diagnoses and symptom and provide a list of pros and cons when treatments where recommended from the medical team.

When my father was hospitalized for pneumonia, she was able to provide beneficial information on questions I could ask his physicians in the hospital and the discharge planner. She was able to communicate with these health care individuals while he was in the hospital as well, deriving additional information that I was unable to get on my own.

Linda was able to develop a wonderful relationship with my father over the phone, along with providing my mother the extra support she needed during this time.

I highly recommend Linda, as her knowledge and wisdom are invaluable resources, especially during critical times of need.

Kate in Colorado

#advocacy #chronic

Dr. Cohen, Palo Alto, CA

​I was able to contact Linda to assist me with two health issues. I wanted to hire Linda to take some of my health information and put it in chronological order.

She saved me valuable time I did not have for this task, which enabled me to discuss my health problems with different specialty physicians in a more efficient manner.

The second issue Linda assisted me with was attending the appointment with my Oncologist to review my options for treatment of breast cancer. Together we created an agenda for my appointment with important questions I needed to have addressed by my Oncologist. She was able to take notes during the exam, as well as bring up questions I had forgotten to ask.

This helped me with all the decisions I had to make regarding treatment options surgeries and my recovery.

She was an Excellent Patient Advocate and the kind of person you want by your side when you need to make complex decisions.

#cancer

Debra in San Rafael, CA

I hired Linda as a patient advocate several years ago when I had a sudden onset of a detached retina in my right eye and felt that she contributed to my successful recovery. In one of our most healing sessions, she helped me using interactive guided imagery. Twelve years later, I found myself recovering from a more complex, four hour retinal surgery in my left eye. Linda came to the rescue again. Initially, I could not even drive, read, use the computer or watch television. Linda was great in providing advice to assist me with managing my home care and routine activities of daily living. She helped me to relax by using her expertise in mind-body relaxation techniques. Linda has been a blessing in developing an approach to re-starting part-time work. She also provided excellent advice to help me complete my state medical disability forms. She helped me to communicate more effectively with my physician to obtain medical updates relating to my progress in response to human resources requests from the company where I work. Linda would be an enormous asset to anyone facing a challenging health issue because of her insights and unique combination of advocacy skills and nursing expertise.

#advocacy

Eileen, San Francisco, CA

I hired Linda to work with a friend of mine in her early twenties who lives in New York City. My friend had a health problem that required her to see a Gynecologist and was informed she may have a pre-cancerous cervical condition. She was scared and unable to react fast enough to even get to a physician in a timely manner. Linda recommended that my friend also see a second gynecological physician who has successfully treated several patients with this problem. Linda’s great advocacy and health coaching skills resulted in an extremely satisfying outcome. Linda was able to accomplish the following: Quickly assess my friend’s health situation, outline what needed to be done and had her seeing both physicians within the next 8 days. Linda helped her understand her condition in easy to understand terms and assisted in preparing for both of her medical appointments with a couple of short coaching sessions on the phone. Linda gave my friend a better understanding of her condition. This gave my friend a greatly needed sense of confidence to deal with the medical world and her own health problem. Most importantly, Linda relieved my friend of her fears.

#advocacy #wellness #remote #cancer

Linda, Silicon Valley, CA

I was diagnosed with stage 4 non small cell lung cancer. Although I have held high power positions in the past, I was scared and at a loss as to how to proceed. I hired Linda to help me navigate all of the complicated aspects of my care.

She helped me find an Oncologist at Stanford where my primary cancer care was administered. Linda helped guide and teach me about my diagnosis, treatment options, the potential side effects of each option and possible clinical trials.

Linda provided me with extraordinary compassion and support. Her nursing background made her extremely knowledgeable and provided me the best care possible.

The PleurX system includes a drainage catheter and drainage bottles that collect fluid. The catheter is inserted, typically as a simple outpatient procedure

Her questions to my Oncologist about having a pulmonary consultation to evaluate if I was a good candidate for a PleurX system drainage catheter to relieve the excessive fluid building in my lungs every 3 or 4 days. This prevented me from having to drive to Stanford twice a week for repeat uncomfortable outpatient procedures called a thoracentesis. I was taught how to drain the fluid myself and after a few times could do on my own when necessary. This made it much easier to climb stairs, perform household and social activities and greatly relieved and reduced my breathing difficulties.

Linda was instrumental in my getting a second biopsy on an enlarged lymph node on the side of my neck to see if I should have radiation to prevent metastasis to my brain and her recommendation was invaluable and I believe extended my life. She also thought ahead to ask for a prescription for oxygen before it was medically necessary, so I could possibly avoid a visit to an emergency room in the middle of the night.

During this time Linda assisted me in getting a second opinion with UCSF, to verify my treatment plan and recommendations.

Linda assisted me in interviewing possible home health aides, so I would have these resources ready when the time came for this type of home health assistance.

I highly recommend Linda, as her knowledge and wisdom are invaluable resources, especially during critical times of need.

#cancer #chronic

Carol in San Mateo, CA

We were at our wits end trying to help our sister. She had multiple doctors, cabinets full of medications, confusion on what was wrong, and no answers. Linda helped us sort through the turmoil and advocate for her. She managed numerous complex diagnoses & symptoms, as well as communications with a multitude of physicians & caregivers. By attending physician appointments, along with her numerous years of nursing experience and expertise, Linda was able to provide updated education & coaching regarding the multiple health challenges we faced, including an understanding of how numerous diagnoses can affect each other. She advocated for our sister, educating her about the specialists on her team and the various treatments each would be providing. Linda possesses excellent communication skills, sensitivity & has an excellent rapport with all health professionals & caregivers she has interacted with. She was able to provide transition support and guidance from independent to assisted living to our sister, who was initially very resistant to move. She is now very pleased to be in this new facility. Linda assisted our family in becoming empowered health care consumers & made a daunting situation completely manageable.

#advocacy #chronic