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.

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

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

Cheryl, Alameda, CA

I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months after moving to Alameda from Nova Scotia, Canada. I was unfamiliar with health insurance issues in the US, but luckily I found Nurse Health Advocate, Linda Garvin. Linda helped me navigate the health system and assisted me in making critical decisions about complex treatment recommendations. Linda helped me develop a detailed list of questions for my surgeons and oncologists. Together we reviewed different treatment options specific to my type of cancer. We discussed my diet, cancer fighting food choices prudent for pre-surgery and radiation therapy and prevention of further cancer. Linda encouraged me to develop a personal health record that has proven to be a great tool for physician’s appointments, surgery and emergencies, as well as a post surgical discharge list in preparation for my recovery at home. Her professionalism, knowledge, expertise and compassion were invaluable to me at a time when informed decisions and support were critical to me and my family. Linda is a superb Nurse Health Advocate; definitely someone you want on your team whenever you or a family member is facing threatening or difficult health care situations.

BACK STORY: I received a call from Cheryl who had only lived in the United States a few months before her diagnosis of breast cancer. She was unfamiliar with our health care system,  insurance coverage, treatment protocols and understanding the pro’s and con’s of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and numerous other issues around this new diagnosis.

I was able to help her be organizing information in a manner she could understand, provided questions for her to ask her Oncologist, pre and post surgical tips to avoid infections, as well as discharge preparation after surgery. She made decisions which she was comfortable with and had an excellent recovery. She has been cancer free for several years.

#advocacy #cancer