• I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
• I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
• My geographical area of practice is Los Angeles and Orange County, Teleadvocacy in California

From a very young age, I cared deeply about helping others. That caring led me to become a registered nurse, where I found a meaningful way to care for and support children and adults with their healthcare needs. Advocacy naturally became an important part of my life, both personally and professionally. I advocated for my maternal grandmother at the end of her life and, later, for my husband when he faced a Stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis.

His diagnosis showed me firsthand how overwhelming and frightening it can be to navigate the healthcare system when someone you love is seriously ill. He was initially told that his cancer was not curable and that he had about two years to live. Wanting to understand whether there were other options, I sought a second opinion when the first facility recommended surgery followed by chemotherapy. At the second facility, genetic testing as part of a research study showed that he was a good candidate for immunotherapy.

Three months into treatment, a CT scan was reported as normal. Given my husband's diagnosis, I questioned how that could be possible. His oncologist and staff did not question the result, so I contacted the imaging center and asked that the scan be re-read. The report was corrected.

I also became concerned that his oncologist was focused primarily on his infusions and was not looking at my husband as a whole person, including his nutrition, exercise, sleep, and overall well-being. I advocated for a change in oncologists, and his new oncologist took a more holistic approach to his care. She also requested a GI oncology consultation, where we were told for the first time that his cancer could be curable.

Throughout his treatment, I kept track of his labs, diagnostic tests, appointments, and medical information. Three and a half years later, he remains cancer-free.

As a nurse, I advocated for patients living with sickle cell disease, working to ensure they received appropriate care and that their unique needs were understood. That advocacy continued through my work with people living on Catalina Island, where being miles away from the mainland created unique challenges in accessing healthcare. While the challenges faced by these communities were very different, one shaped by race and the other by location, both gave me insight into the unique needs of those I served.

These experiences taught me the importance of listening, understanding the challenges patients and families face, and helping them navigate the healthcare system. My journey as a nurse has come full circle. Independent advocacy is the next chapter of my story.