Welcome to Ask Nurse Deb!

I've been asked many questions by my friends and family about medical issues that concern them or those they love. Many people feel confused by the complex medical system or too stressed out to think of good questions when they're in a doctor's office. Have you ever wondered:

• When do I need to consult with a doctor or other care provider?
• How to make sense out of what you were told at a recent visit to the doctor?
• What a lab test means and how important the results are?
• This is what my doctor recommends - do I have any choices???
• How do I take care of my child and who is the best person to consult for his care?
• What can I do if I don't want to have chemo or other medicine prescibed by my doctor?
• How can I become a healthier person?

You're not alone. People often seek out someone knowledgeable to find out just how their body works, what their choices might be for treating an illness, or what all the big words mean that medicine throws around so readily.

WHY ASK NURSE DEB?

I know how to listen well. I speak the language of medicine. I can help you make sense of what puzzles you given my 30+ years providing professional nursing in a variety of health care settings and age groups from babies to elders. I've learned a lot about living well, dying, and meeting life's challenges with courage, honesty and humor. I know where to look for medical resource information and to discern what is based in scientific knowledge and what is opinion or "spin." Not much about the human body embarrasses me anymore but sometimes I still am surprised by what I have yet to know about being human. I can serve as your health coach as you explore making changes in how you live, supporting your intentions and holding you accountable for the goals you have set for yourself!

I have successfully raised children as a single mom, have learned about grief and loss through personal experience, and am exploring aging first hand for myself and with an elder parent. I use a variety of integrative health modalities for my own well-being and for those who consult me; I can introduce you to many potentially helpful health-enhancing practices that address your whole self.

HOW DOES ASK NURSE DEB WORK?

You will find a growing library of postings here that raise issues in self-care, health related current events, and responses to reader concerns that may be useful to many in the on-line community.

I'm glad to field your questions here as long as the asker is ok with response that can be shared by anyone reading the blog. Check out my web site at http://www.asknursedeb.com/ (under construction at this posting) for information about arranging for email or phone consultations for those issues that are best discussed with privacy and confidentiality.

GOAL

My goal is to empower each person who brings me a question to make good choices for themselves, to learn to ask great questions of their care providers, and to learn more about how their body, mind, and spirit interact and 'work.' I want you to go away from our conversation feeling like you have been heard and respected, understanding better what had puzzled you. When I don't know the anwers to your question, we'll enter into learning about it together!

Here's to your health and happiness - let the questions begin!

Nurse Deb