Nursing Philosophy
My holistic nursing philosophy is that I look beyond the physical, knowing that health begins within, and with my intentions, healing begins.
My holistic advanced nursing practice (APN) includes offering Reiki sessions that integrate chakra balancing, therapeutic touch, muscle testing, and health teaching. My goal with each treatment is to uncover energy blockages and bring balance and healing. I am both Usui Shiki Ryoko certified and Reiki Master of Usui/Holy Fire (R) III Reiki Ryoho and Karuna (R) Master certified. Reiki is taking me back to my nursing roots where therapeutic touch, extensive knowledge of the body, disease process, and health teaching are primary to understanding health and healing with the balance of body, mind, and spirit.
Lucy’s Health
As a child, I experienced many earaches and ear infections. At 6 years old I had a tonsillectomy after having tubes in my ears for over a year. As I think back, I also suffered many severe headaches as well, which I later came to realize had to do with food allergies and sensitivities.
My health was a journey after I had miscarried at 3.5 months in between Tony and Jeremy where I hemorrhaged. After Jeremy was born, 3 weeks later, I noticed that my left leg began to swell and become very painful. The next day, I had a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when the ultrasound showed that there were so many blood clots that the technician stated she “couldn’t count them all”. I was immediately hospitalized for 1 week and wheelchair-bound for over 5 weeks. Taking both injectable and oral anticoagulants proved unsuccessful as the blood work never indicated a therapeutic dose. Since this time period, I battle lymphedema daily. Lymphedema can be influenced by inactivity, diet, and also reactions to food, air pollutants, chemicals, viruses that my body is fighting, etc. I prioritize exercise daily and eat a balanced healthy diet. Glenn regularly assists with bioenergetic testing and I see a chiropractor and massage therapist regularly.
Lucy’s Career Path
I grew up in a family with 7 children. My youngest sister, who is deaf and has cerebral palsy. When she was 6, I remember she had 3 grand mal seizures back to back one night. After this incident, she was never left alone. This inspired me to learn more. I noted that nursing (Registered Practical Nurse) was offered at the local college. In the meantime, I enrolled in a local Health Care Aide course. From there I found my love for nursing. Subsequently applied for the RPN program and then into the RN program. Life had a different path as Glenn entered into my life before I took the RN program at McMaster University. At that point, in time I wanted more “hands-on nursing” rather than the “RN paperwork”. I declined my admittance and decided to get married instead. I returned to school after having our 3 children, as my desire to complete my RN re-emerged. During this time, I also completed her CanFitPro Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor certification.
As I started my university career, my brother was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 27. This tragedy created a shift as life changed and my purpose became clearer. I completed my RN in 2009 and worked as a Director of Care for 10 years. I also completed my Masters of Science in Nursing (MScN) from York University in 2014 where I was published and achieved awards for Graduate Thesis award and Academic Excellence. The last few years I have worked as a nurse consultant, manager of quality and consulting, and director of health informatics at a large long-term care organization.
In December 2021 my life’s path has taken a change in direction once again where I chose a different career path relating to medical risks. As a result, I am now fulfilling my life’s purpose as an independent Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). I work with my husband at Back to the Future in Health. I have always provided Glenn and our children with treatments of muscle work, muscle testing, and therapeutic touch and so Reiki is a natural fit.
After a suggestion from one of Glenn’s clients and my own personal experience, I became certified as a Dr. Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) Applied Therapist. MLD is powerful! It is a great way to detoxify the body, improve immune function, reduce swelling, etc. I am also certified as a Combined Decongestive Therapist through Dr. Vodder where I provide treatments and plans of care for primary and secondary lymphedema.
We live a very healthy lifestyle where the pillars of health are prioritized in all that Glenn and I do.