Call the Nurse

What happens when the hormones that have supported your body for decades begin to shift—and suddenly you don’t recognize yourself anymore? In this episode of Call the Nurse, I sit down with my own gynecologist, Dr. Edwin Ramirez, for a conversation that is both deeply personal and incredibly educational. We walk through my own hormone journey, the symptoms that made me realize something was changing, and how Dr. Ramirez’s expertise has guided me through menopause and hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Ramirez breaks down the roles of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone and how fluctuations can affect sleep, mood, energy, libido, brain fog, muscle, bone health and overall well-being. We also tackle one of the biggest questions in menopause care: Do hormone labs actually matter—or should treatment be based primarily on symptoms? We talk about why so many women struggle to get answers, why some physicians are hesitant to prescribe or even discuss HRT, and the history behind the fear of hormones and breast cancer. Dr. Ramirez shares why he continued offering hormone therapy to appropriately selected patients even during the years when many clinicians stopped prescribing, and how the conversation around the evidence has evolved. And because he’s also my doctor, we get personal. We discuss my changing labs, different forms of hormone replacement, what has and hasn’t worked for me, and the reality that finding the right treatment isn’t always a straight line. If you’ve ever thought, “I know something has changed in my body, but no one seems to be listening,” this conversation is for you. 🎙️Connect with Mindie! IG: @callthenursepodcast TikTok: @callthenursepodcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@CallTheNursePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: [email protected] Connect with Dr. Ramirez! https://www.rassettigynecology.com

What if the woman you are today is still carrying the little girl you once were? This week on Call the Nurse, I sit down with filmmaker, writer, and director Monique Impagliazzo for a vulnerable conversation about the inspiration behind the script for her future film Pinkie Swear—and the inner work that led her back to her younger self. We talk about the wounds we carry from childhood, the ways they can quietly show up in our adult relationships, careers, motherhood, perfectionism, and people-pleasing—and why healing doesn’t always mean something terrible had to happen to us. Monique shares what it means to reconnect with your inner little girl, listen to what she still needs, and begin giving her the safety, compassion, and voice she may not have had growing up. Because sometimes moving forward isn’t about becoming someone new. Sometimes it’s about going back for the little girl you left behind—and making her a new promise. This is a conversation about storytelling, self-discovery, generational healing, and finally learning to become the woman your younger self needed. 🎙️Connect with Mindie! IG: @callthenursepodcast TikTok: @callthenursepodcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@CallTheNursePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: [email protected] Connect with Monique! https://www.manifestingproductions.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio More info about Pinkie Swear: https://manifestingproductions.allyrafundraising.com/

What happens when the caregiver suddenly becomes the one who needs care? ❤️‍🩹 This week on Call the Nurse, I sit down with my coworker and fellow nurse, Bailey Saleumvong, RN-BC, MSN, whose life took an unimaginable turn when he went from caring for patients to becoming critically ill himself—and ultimately needing a heart transplant. Bailey shares so vulnerably about the fear, the uncertainty, the loss of control, and what it feels like to understand too much medically while also trying to simply be the patient. But what stayed with me most were the lessons that came after—the things you can only understand when you’ve been on both sides of the bedside. His recovery is remarkable. His perspective is even more powerful. When the nurse becomes the patient, everything changes.

Content note: This episode contains discussions of suicidal thoughts and self-harm. If these topics are difficult for you, please listen with care. In this deeply personal episode of Call the Nurse, I sit down with my daughter, Haylie, as she shares her journey through autism, mental health struggles, and one of the darkest chapters of her life. As a nurse, I could save my patients but not my own daughter. Together, we revisit the difficult decisions our family faced—including sending her to a therapeutic boarding school in Utah—and hear, for the first time, Haylie's perspective on how those choices ultimately helped save her life. We also talk about: What it's really like living with autism Common misconceptions about the autism spectrum Depression, hopelessness, and finding the will to live again The therapist who made a lasting impact The parent-child relationship during crisis Finding hope after your darkest moments This episode wasn't easy to record, and it wasn't easy to decide to share. But if our family's story helps one person feel less alone—or gives one parent hope to keep fighting for their child—then every vulnerable moment is worth it. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, healthcare professional, someone navigating autism, or anyone struggling with mental health, we hope this conversation reminds you that healing is possible, hope can return, and no one should have to walk these journeys alone. Thank you for being here, for listening with an open heart, and for helping us continue to break the stigma surrounding autism and mental health. Because sometimes the conversations that are hardest to have are the ones that save lives. ❤️ 🎙️Connect with Mindie! IG: @callthenursepodcast TikTok: @callthenursepodcast YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@CallTheNursePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: [email protected]

What if pain isn't just something to treat—but something to understand? In this episode of Call the Nurse,I sit down with Dr. Thomas Nasser, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and highly regarded for his expertise in Pain Management. He is also one of the founding partners of AVORS Medical Group in Lancaster, CA, alongside my husband Dr. Alon Antebi. In this conversation we explore the complex relationship between physical pain, emotional suffering, and the human experience. Dr. Nasser shares why he believes some of the most important medicine happens when we slow down long enough to truly listen. We discuss why compassionate doctors often run behind schedule, why telling someone "it's all in your head" can be deeply harmful, and how pain can persist even when scans and tests don't provide clear answers. Together, we explore: Why pain is always real—even when the cause isn’t obvious The connection between the brain, nervous system, trauma, anxiety, and chronic pain Innovative approaches to pain management beyond medication How physicians balance science with compassion When emotional healing becomes part of physical healing Why caring for patients sometimes means abandoning the clock The importance of partnering with mental health professionals to treat the whole person Dr. Nasser also shares insights shaped not only by decades of medical experience, but by his own personal journey through profound loss and life's unexpected challenges. Whether you're living with chronic pain, caring for someone who is, or you're a healthcare professional trying to care for others without losing yourself, this conversation is a powerful reminder that healing begins with being seen, heard, and believed. Because sometimes the greatest gift a healthcare provider can give isn't another prescription—it's the words: "I believe you're hurting." If this episode resonates with you, please follow Call the Nurse, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their pain is real—and they don't have to face it alone. Connect with Mindie! 🎙️ IG: @callthenursepodcast TikTok: @callthenursepodcast Email: [email protected] Want to know more about Dr. Thomas Nasser or get a consultation??! Go to https://www.avorsmedgroup.com/thomas-s-nasser