A Place of Yes | A Grief Podcast
Episode: "A Late Diagnosis: Losing My Mom to Rare Disease"
Host: Heather (Bright Sighted)
Guest: Olivia
Release Date: June 26, 2025

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of "A Place of Yes," Heather sits down with Olivia to explore the profound journey of losing a parent to a rare disease. Olivia shares her personal experience of grief, the unexpected nature of her mother's passing, and how she has channeled her pain into positive endeavors, including her recent graduation from nursing school.

Olivia's Background

Olivia provides listeners with an overview of her life, emphasizing her academic and professional achievements amidst personal tragedy.

• Graduation and Career Path:
  [01:26] Olivia recounts, "I graduated nursing school in December of last year. I started nursing school like two years ago, probably two months after my mom passed away. That was a little bit difficult time, but honestly, I love it."

• Entry into Nursing:
  [01:42] She explains, "So not necessarily nursing was always something you wanted to do... I kind of just jumped into it and then ended up really liking it."

• Educational Challenges:
  Olivia shares her struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic, including transferring schools to find a better environment for her studies and personal circumstances.

Mother's Illness and Passing

The core of the episode delves into the abrupt and heart-wrenching loss of Olivia’s mother due to Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a rare genetic disorder.

• Onset of Illness:
  [02:37] Olivia describes the sudden onset of her mother's illness: "She became sick the day after Mother's Day... they weren't really sure for months."

• Symptoms and Medical Journey:
  The family grappled with unexplained symptoms such as liver enzyme elevations and signs of heart failure, leading to multiple hospital visits without a clear diagnosis.

• Rapid Decline:
  [03:24] Heather reflects, "It came so suddenly," to which Olivia adds, "she passed away that night. So it was very fast, like suddenly for everyone."

• Rare Disease Explanation:
  [04:31] Olivia explains, "It's called alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency... it's a genetic disorder."

Olivia's Nursing Journey

Olivia discusses how her mother's illness influenced her decision to pursue nursing and the challenges she faced in the healthcare field.

• Transition to Healthcare:
  [13:07] After her mother's passing, Olivia decided against working in the ICU, stating, "I don't want to see people sedated, intubated. That is just not for me."

• Clinical Experiences:
  [14:37] She shares a poignant moment when her nursing professor, one of her mother's nurses, recognized her: "I have to say something to her... she's really sweet about it."

Family Dynamics and Coping

The conversation shifts to the impact of her mother's death on Olivia's family, particularly her relationship with her father and brother.

• Living Situation:
  [08:09] Olivia mentions living with her father and brother, who is away at college most of the year, highlighting the limited family support at home.

• Emotional Struggles:
  [24:32] Olivia reflects on her initial disassociation from the grief: "I was just there. And then, like, all of a sudden I was like, oh, my God."

• Father’s Grief:
  Her father remains a pillar of support but is visibly affected by the loss: [23:01] "He’s still, like, the best dad ever... but he's definitely having a hard time."

Friendship and Relationships After Loss

Olivia opens up about navigating friendships and romantic relationships post-loss, emphasizing the challenges of integrating her grief into new connections.

• Dating Post-Grief:
  [18:05] Olivia discusses the difficulty of dating without her mother's presence: "It's not the same. My mom would have made it very different, made it comfortable for them."

• Expectations from Friends:
  She highlights her need for friends to remember significant dates: [19:03] "I need them to be, like, my mom's birthday or, like, her anniversary."

• Supportive Friendships:
  Olivia appreciates longstanding friendships that understand her grief without needing to overly acknowledge it: [21:02] "They obviously are, like, I'm here for you on this day."

Signs of Mother’s Presence

The episode touches on the comforting signs Olivia perceives as reminders of her mother's spirit.

• Connection Through Nature:
  [26:31] Olivia shares, "My mom and I liked Coldplay... the song Yellow was our song. Now, seeing the word 'Yellow' or hearing the song reminds me of her."

• Symbolic Gestures:
  [27:48] Olivia believes these signs are a way her mother remains present: "I do feel that way and I do like saying them. It makes me feel better a little bit."

Keeping Mother's Memory Alive

Olivia discusses various ways she honors her mother's memory, ensuring her legacy continues.

• Annual Events:
  [31:32] Olivia emphasizes the importance of celebratory gatherings: "Every year we do a cocktail party for her... making the effort to be there."

• Tattoos as Memorials:
  [33:43] She shares her tattoos dedicated to her mother: "All my tattoos are for her. So, I do little things like that... all done for a good reason."

Advice for Others in Grief

In the concluding segments, Olivia offers poignant advice to those navigating similar losses.

• Hope and Resilience:
  [35:25] Olivia assures listeners, "You will be okay and, like, you will get through it. There's the light at the end of the tunnel."

• Importance of Connections:
  She underscores the role of relationships in healing: [36:03] "Connections... just being present."

• Being There Without Overthinking:
  Olivia advises, "Just have those people that are just there through it all, like, every step of the way, like, no matter what."

Notable Quotes

• On Unpreparedness:
  Olivia [00:09]: "She wasn't ready. She wasn't prepared."

• On Sudden Loss:
  Heather [03:24]: "It came so suddenly."

• On Presence Over Gestures:
  Olivia [31:23]: "It doesn't have to be like, them bringing you anything or, like, getting you flowers... just being present."

• On Healing:
  Olivia [35:25]: "You will be okay and, like, you will get through it."

Conclusion

Olivia's candid sharing on "A Place of Yes" provides a deep and relatable exploration of grief, resilience, and the enduring bonds between loved ones. Her journey from loss to finding purpose in nursing serves as an inspiring testament to the human spirit's capacity to transform pain into positive action.

Thank you for listening to this episode of A Place of Yes.
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