Thank you for taking the time to visit my website, The Nurse In Your Pocket. My name is Diahann Colón. I have been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years caring and advocating for myself and others. I have always looked at each of my patients for who they are, a human being with a soul deserving the best care possible.
When I worked in the hospital, I tried to educate my patients and their families as time permitted. I remember during nursing school seeing two physicians, a gynecologist and a pediatrician (at different rotations and different departments) take time to explain procedures to their patients. I admired their patience, compassion, and sincerity they had toward their patients. They each sat next to their patients and spoke to them at eye level. They addressed their patients as human beings and not a number. I knew how scary it can be away from home, not feeling well, and not understanding medical terminology can be overwhelming and scary. I made it one of my missions, to do the same in educating my patients and their families per hospital protocol. I remember a coworker telling me I should go into teaching, become a nurse educator. She said she herself did not like educating patients. I told her I just put myself in their shoes.
This mission did not stop when I stopped working in the hospital or as a home health nurse. I continue to educate and inform friends and family. Health and wellness can be complicated.
I have struggled with my own health for most of my adult life. I have had to advocate for myself and literally Fight 2B Healthy. I am thankful for my nursing education. I have had to apply thorough documentation when fighting for referrals and testing. My determination, education, and research have saved me from unnecessary treatment/procedures.
I have had to fight for doctors to not just hear, but to listen to my symptoms. I have had doctors judge me for my size. A few doctors just dismissed my symptoms and attributing them to my weight. In 3 months, I had to change primary care doctors 3 times and cardiologist 2 times. One of the doctors, I felt looked down at me. I felt she dismissed my symptoms and referred me to a nutritionist for weight loss. The third doctor finally listened. She referred me to a lot of specialists for testing. The results determined I had severe sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and needed a second open-heart surgery to replace my heart valve.
I think physicians are amazing. I think what they do is vital. I value their profession and education. I am sharing briefly my experiences in having to advocate for myself. I know my body. I know my norms and when something is not normal. I know I have the right to question my care. I have the right to understand my treatment plan. I have the right to have a primary care physician who I feel comfortable with in providing my health care. One that will listen and not judge.
I now have an amazing physician, cardiologist, and pulmonologist who truly listen. They each know I am trying my best to improve my health and wellness naturally.
My primary care physician knows I have had several reactions to medications. We joke about how my body is very complicated and it does not react like most other patients’. He also knows I am very in tuned to listen to my body. I know when to seek professional medical care.
As a result of knowing my body, I have been spared from having a second open-heart surgery. I do not ingest anything prescribed. I do use a BIPAP machine every night faithfully. My BIPAP machine has saved my life, my brain, my heart, and helps maintain my blood pressure.
I still struggle with unusual symptoms. I have seen more specialists with no answers or solutions. Therefore, I continue to learn natural ways to support my body. I use dōTERRA products, supplements, and essential oils. I am now researching the benefits of vitamins and minerals in food.
Due to my health limitations, I am unable to physically work outside my home. I do not want to allow this setback to hinder my mission any longer. I want to continue to provide others, you, your friends, and family, with knowledge, support, and resources to confidently advocate for your and/or their health and body’s function to live your/their best life!
Please continue to visit here and my social media platforms. I will try my best to be consistent as my health permits. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Diahann Colón, RN, PHN, BSN
