• I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
• I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
• My geographical area of practice is Boston, MA

My mother was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2004, and I acted as her healthcare advocate until she passed away in August 2021. Initially, it was my way of coping with her life-threatening illness. I watched over her like a hawk and would not leave her side. I needed to understand everything that was going on to deal with her diagnosis. It did not take long for me to trust my instincts when something did not make sense to me. Although I do not have a background in medicine, I excelled as an advocate due to my background in engineering and the way I process information. I quickly learned how to navigate the complex healthcare system, ensuring that my mother received the proper care, that mistakes were not made, and that my family understood the precautions needed to ensure her health and safety, whether in the hospital, rehabilitation facility, dialysis center, or at home.

My family and I knew my mother better than anyone else, and I want to help others understand the extraordinary power of this input into the treatment and care of their loved ones. I became extremely adept at reconciling all available information on my mother to ensure alignment and avoid discrepancies that could adversely impact her care, such as how she was treated in the hospital, her discharge papers, and the prescriptions sent to the pharmacy. I created a dossier on my mother in case she had to be taken to the hospital and I could not accompany her. During COVID-19, this became extremely useful when I was not allowed to oversee her care in person. I quickly learned how to ensure my mother received proper care despite the pandemic.

Medical professionals are increasingly pressed for time, and maximizing the time spent with them is critically important; an advocate can help achieve this.

During the pandemic, I had to go to the Emergency Room (ER) and overheard a nurse speaking to an elderly patient about her discharge. Since the ER was filled with COVID-19 patients, we were both in the hallway. The patient had a complex array of medical conditions requiring strict at-home care instructions and new medications. I nearly interjected when I heard the nurse reviewing the instructions, and it was extremely difficult to refrain from doing so. Then the nurse asked if the patient had any questions, and my eyes filled with tears upon hearing her response, "How am I going to get home?"

In summary, there is a reason everyone says that everyone should have an advocate. I do not want anyone in need of one to lack access to someone who can look out for their best interests or those of their loved ones.