At just 18 years old, Olivia faced the daunting challenge of managing her health with a central line and starting her journey in home healthcare. Through it all, one person stood out—a home health nurse who quickly became a trusted support, offering more than just medical care. Olivia shares the invaluable impact this nurse had on her journey, helping her rebuild trust in healthcare while providing the emotional and physical support she needed.
Continue reading to learn more about how this nurse became a key part of Olivia’s healing process and how their bond shaped her experience with home health care.
Starting Home Health at 18
While I’m grateful to have found several members of my care team who support me in my health journey, one person who stands out the most is my first home health nurse. I was freshly 18 when I received my first central line and began experiencing home healthcare. My home health nurse quickly felt like a part of my family. She supported me endlessly, advocated for me, and helped me in ways beyond physical care.
Feeling Respected as a Young Patient
Being so young, even though I was legally an adult, many healthcare workers still treated me like a child, saying things like, “You’re too young to be experiencing all of this.” My nurse, however, never made me feel infantilized. Instead, despite our age difference, she treated me almost as a peer.
Building Trust and Finding Safety
We had so much respect and admiration for each other that I looked forward to our weekly visits, where I might otherwise have dreaded them. She helped me rebuild my trust in healthcare workers, which had been damaged by so many negative experiences. There was never a moment where I didn’t feel safe in her care, and I knew I could communicate with her whenever something didn’t feel “right.”
A Lasting Impact
I don’t think there are words to fully express my gratitude for my first home health nurse, but I hope she knows how much of a positive impact she had on me and my family during some of my lowest points. As I embark again on the journey of home health, I thank her for everything she taught me and for how much she prepared me to work with other home health nurses who may cross my path.
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