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