For Lonna, healthcare has often meant living in a constant state of uncertainty. After years of being medically fragile, managing a central line, navigating weekly care needs, and advocating for both herself and her son, she has carried more than most people can see from the outside.
But throughout some of the hardest seasons of her health journey, one nurse has continued to show up with compassion, awareness, and a kind of care that goes far beyond the appointment.
This Nurses Week, Lonna is honoring Shyanne Brandon, the nurse who has made her feel seen, protected, understood, and human in moments when she needed it most.
Continue reading to learn more about Lonna’s story, in her own words.
When My Body Was Exhausted and My Mind Was Carrying Too Much
One of the hardest seasons was after years of being medically fragile, having a central line since early 2021, and constantly battling infections and complications.
Physically, my body was exhausted from TPN, IV hydration, IVIG, and just trying to keep going. Mentally and emotionally, I was carrying the weight of uncertainty. I never knew what would come next, but I was still trying to be present for my kids.
Then in 2022, after being quarantined for two and a half years, my family got COVID. It felt like everything we had worked so hard to avoid finally caught up to us.
More recently, I was discharged from home health against my doctor’s wishes and my own while I was across the country seeking medical care. That added another layer of stress, fear, and frustration. It made me feel unseen, like my needs were being minimized in a situation that was already so overwhelming.
The Nurse Who Knew Before I Had to Ask
Shyanne Brandon has always been that nurse for me.
After I had COVID, I had to return to the infusion center for labs and dressing changes. I was nervous, but I did not even have to explain my fears to her. She already knew.
She made sure I was taken to a separate area, away from active COVID patients, without me having to ask.
That moment has stayed with me because it showed how deeply she understands her patients. She did not just see a chart or an appointment. She saw my history, my risks, my fear, and she acted on it.
When I Felt Like I Had to Prove How Sick I Was
Recently, when I was discharged from home health, I felt like I was fighting a system that did not understand how sick I truly am.
Even after insurance agreed the discharge was not appropriate, I was still left trying to piece together care while managing everything else.
Shyanne stepped in, not just as a nurse, but as someone who truly understood. She validated me. She reminded me that needing weekly dressing changes, labs, and check-ins is not asking for too much. It is necessary.
She also advocated in a way that most people never see. She explained that just because I can make it to an infusion center one week does not mean I can consistently do that every week. She understood the unpredictable nature of my conditions and helped put words to something that often goes unseen.
That kind of support, being understood without having to prove how sick you are, meant everything.
The Care My Son Deserves
There have been so many moments when Shyanne has made me feel human again, but watching her care for my son, Karter, has been one of the biggest.
Karter is 14 and already walking a road that is so similar to mine. His veins and skin are sensitive, and weekly infusions are not easy for him.
But Shyanne is always patient. She reassures him that he is not a burden. She listens when he says something hurts. She takes her time.
In those moments, she does not just treat him like a patient. She treats him like a person. Like a kid who deserves compassion, patience, and dignity.
As a mom, that means more than I can fully put into words.
So Much More Than a Nurse
I would want Shyanne to know that she has been so much more than a nurse in our lives.
From once being my nail client to becoming the nurse who now helps care for both me and my son, she has been part of some of the most vulnerable and difficult seasons of our lives.
She has made me feel seen when I felt overlooked. She has validated me when I felt dismissed. She has protected my health, advocated for my needs, and shown my son what true compassion in healthcare looks like.
She reminds me that there are still people in this field who truly care. People who go above and beyond. People who treat patients like human beings, not just another appointment.
Thank you, Shyanne. Your care has meant more to our family than you know.
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