HealthyOptions program nurse helps pull Campbell from deep depression
Linda Campbell was struggling with heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and deep depression; she was also the main caregiver for two grandchildren and her terminally ill husband. She was at the end of her rope and ready to give up when she received a letter about the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas disease and wellness programs. She enrolled and was paired with Robin, a disease and wellness management nurse.
During routine phone calls, the ladies listened to one another, and set goals that would improve Linda’s mindset and quality of life. The more Linda listened, the more everything Robin talked about started making sense. Linda worked with Robin for about one year.
“Now that I’ve worked with Robin, I can identify two major factors that started my depression years ago. First, my husband was a truck driver; I’d stay on the phone with him all hours of the day to help him stay awake. He didn’t like me to do any housework while I was on the phone because the noises irritated him. That’s when the housework started piling up, and when I couldn’t keep up with everything I gave up. Second, before we moved, I was an energy healer because I liked helping others. In my new town people didn’t understand it and steered clear from me. I was in a new town, with no friends, and my husband was always on the road. I felt like I lost myself.
Quote from Linda Campbell
Now that I’ve worked with Robin, I can identify two major factors that started my depression years ago.
Robin reviewed all my medications and noticed some pills treated the same thing, so I stopped taking the duplicates. My memory improved and I started feeling better. Robin also encouraged me to drink more water and stop eating so many sweets. The better my memory got, and the more water I drank, I started getting up and doing more. Now I’m cleaning, started reading my energy and quantum science books again, joined the local American Legion and plan to start a tai chi program for the elderly.”
One of Linda’s first goals was being able to enjoy and play with her grandkids on her vacation to Galveston, Texas. To prepare the trip she started drinking water, stopped smoking so many cigarettes, watched what she ate and started walking a few times a day. When she got to the beach she walked up and down the beach looking for shells and chasing baby crabs with her grandkids, she had energy to shop. She had the best time of her life!"
For me the biggest success about the program was learning to like myself. Before Robin, I was just going through the motions. Robin was a friend who ‘told me how it was’ in a loving way. She doesn’t know how much she strengthened me. Now I have the energy and the mindset to help my husband. I’m no longer a borderline diabetic. My blood pressure averaged about 140/90, now it is 128-30/80. Blue Cross has always been here for us. I am truly grateful for Robin and this service.”
One of our nurses can help you
BCBSKS offers programs for asthma, diabetes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, maternity, tobacco cessation, stress management and weight management. When you enroll in one of these programs, our registered nurses will provide one-on-one support, coaching and education to you as well!
To enroll, call 800-520-3137 or visit bcbsks.com/Enroll. These programs are available to members who have BCBSKS as the primary carrier.