February 15, 2022 • 35 mins
My guest today and I have a very special link: Carol Contreras Loya is my baby sister. But we have another very special and rare link: We share a pair of kidneys! Carol was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic illness when she was only 15. At a time when I was worried about pep rallies and college applications, she was fighting for her life with multiple hospital stays and surgeries. At the age of 21, her disease attacked her kidneys. Her doctors tested all of us, and we found we were a perfect match.
After her transplant of my kidney in 1993, Carol was inspired to study nursing, and despite her health struggles, worked hard to earn a degree from UTEP, the University of Texas at El Paso, becoming the 2nd in our family to cross a university stage. However, her illness made traditional nursing next to impossible for Carol, and she began to search for other avenues where she could use her nursing degree without the long hours and risks to her own health. A cousin of ours reached out to her about an opportunity in the home health realm where she could set her own schedule and not be on her feet as much. Carol found that the individualized patient contact and ability to follow and celebrate progress brought her the fulfillment she was searching for. She took the next steps to earn her Case Management certification, and built a career with a large Case Management company working with Workers’ Compensation cases.
However, the entrepreneurial nature inspired in us by our mom continued to pull at her, and with the support of her husband, who was working in marketing while pursuing his own degree, she launched her own company, Allianze Case Management. Starting with just a few contacts, she pounded the pavement, built relationships with doctors and networks, and was able to land lucrative contracts with the Department of Labor. She recently celebrated her company’s third anniversary.
Join us to hear about how her illness manifested into a passion for providing compassionate, dedicated health care and what drives her to continue to be a leader in her industry. Vamonos– juntas somos pasionarias! .
For more pasionaria stories, follow on social media:
@somospasionarias. Make sure to like and subscribe to catch all my new episodes. Keep chasing your passions, mis amigas!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Nena Contreras Barn (00:13):
Bienvenidos a Somos Pasionarias. Welcome to
Somos Pasionarias, where we talkabout women who are changing
lives and leaving legacies bypursuing their passions. My name
is Nena Contreras Barnett. I'm apasionaria and your host. Juntas
somos pasionarias! Join me tomeet some amazing women and
(00:35):
explore what it means to liveyour passions and realize your
dreams.
Hola Pasionarias! Thank you forjoining me again to chat with
another amazing pasionaria. Ourguest today and I have a very
(00:56):
special link. Carol ContrerasLoya is my baby sister. But we
have another very special andrare link: we share a pair of
kidneys. Carol was diagnosedwith lupus, a chronic illness
when she was only 15. At a timewhen I was worried about pep
rallies and collegeapplications, she was fighting
for her life with multiplehospital stays and surgeries. At
(01:18):
the age of 21, her diseaseattacked her kidneys. Her
doctors tested us all and foundthat she and I were a perfect
six antigen match. After hertransplant of my kidney in 1993.
Carol was inspired to studynursing to help other transplant
patients, and despite her healthstruggles, worked hard to earn a
degree from UTEP, the Universityof Texas at El Paso, becoming
(01:40):
the second in our family tocross a university stage.
However, her illness madetraditional nursing next to
impossible for Carol and shebegan to search for other
avenues where she could use herhard won nursing degree without
the long hours and risks to herown health. A cousin of ours
reached out to her about anopportunity in the home health
realm where she could set herown schedule and not be on her
(02:03):
feet as much. Carol found thatthe individualized patient
contact and ability to followand celebrate progress, brought
her the fulfillment that she wassearching for. She took the next
steps to earn her casemanagement certification and
built a career with a large casemanagement company working with
Workers' Compensation cases.
However, that entrepreneurialnature inspired in us by our mom
(02:25):
continued to pull at her andwith the support of her husband,
who was working in marketingwhile pursuing his own degree,
she launched her own company,Allianze Case Management.
Starting with just a fewcontacts, she pounded the
pavement, built relationshipswith doctors and networks, and
was able to land lucrativecontracts with the Department of
Labor. She recently celebratedher company's third anniversary.
(02:47):
Join us to hear about how herillness manifested into a
passion for providingcompassionate, dedicated health
care and what drives her tocontinue to be a leader in her
industry. Vamonos, juntas somospasionarias!
All right, hello, I've got mywonderful sister here. I'm so
(03:09):
excited that you're here with metoday. We talk a lot about all
of the dreams and everythingthat you have been pursuing, and
I'm just really excited forother people to hear what you
have to say. So... so welcome.
Carol Loya (03:24):
Thanks, Nena. I'm so happy to be here.
Nena Contreras Barnett (03:26):
Awesome.
Okay, so I talked a little bitin my introduction about your
illness. You were diagnosed withlupus and kind of have had to
gear your life around that. Andso I want to talk about how that
inspired you to do what you'redoing right now and how you
overcame the challenges thatwere faced with that with that
(03:47):
illness. So tell me a little bitabout your illness like what is
lupus? When and how were youdiagnosed and being diagnosed as
a teenager which is like such acritical age for people, how did
that make you feel being ateenager and having this
illness?
Carol Loya (04:03):
Okay, so Lupus is a autoimmune disease and basically
what that disease kind of doesis it attacks your your own
body, like the immune system isdecreased. So your body is kind
of attacking itself. It's achronic illness, there is really
(04:25):
not a known cause for it. So youknow, you get can get a lot of
infections because your immunesystem is really on the
defensive side. And so I wasdiagnosed when I was 15 years
old. That made me I think like asophomore in high school, I
believe thinking back. And forme, being a teenager that was
(04:49):
actually like going to highschool at a school that was
across the street from thecounty hospital where I was
treating at- in their clinic aswell, as you know, when I'd have
hospital stays, it was kind ofit was kind of nice and kind of
hard for me. But, you know,there was watching all my kids
(05:11):
in my group of age (teens) thatwere out there doing their usual
things as high school studentsand sitting sometimes in by the
window and watching all that goby was a little bit difficult
for me. But luckily, I gotthrough it. Luckily, you know,
with the help of the teachersand mom, and even you sometimes
I remember, you helped me a lotwith my schoolwork, I was able
(05:33):
to maintain, you know, some goodgrades. So that was, you know,
something that I felt good aboutaccomplishing, still having have
gone through all of that, but itwas difficult just spending so
much time across the street,after I'd get diagnosed with an
infection have to go in fornever less than a week for IV
antibiotics. So I, you know, bemissing out a lot on on my
school and associating with theclassmates and stuff like that.
Nena Contreras Barnett (05:59):
And they didn't have like, all that stuff
that they have now, like, youknow, we have homebound teachers
that go to your home and helpyou if you can't come to school.
And you know, of course, withvirtual learning, you know, even
kids that are at home, likewe've had all these quarantine
kids, that can still access thesame education and you didn't
have access to that, becausethere was nothing like that at
(06:21):
the time.
Carol Loya (06:22):
No, back in that time, it was, you know, the
teachers would try to send overwhatever work that they could.
But it really I mean, I'm sure,they were very limited being
that they didn't have the toolsthat they have now and, you
know, to help students that arein same situations.
Nena Contreras Barnett (06:39):
So knowing what you knew about your
illness and the prognosis thatyou had, did you ever think that
you were going to go to college,I, I, we talked a little bit
about that support group thatyou were in, in Thomason (County
Hospital). So many young girlsyour age that were so sick, did
that make you realize how graveyour illness was, and that you
(07:02):
were in danger of dying?
Carol Loya (07:05):
Well, I mean, not so much that it kind of guided me
if I wanted to go to college, asfar as decision making, because,
you know, it was just hard, hardfor me to decide to what the
next step in my life was goingto be. And I think, as I started
entering the adulthood andstarted, you know, I did get a
(07:26):
job while I was actually lastyear of high school, that work
school program, and you know,you start earning money, and I
was I was able to tolerate, youknow, those, those early jobs
when we first started. But, youknow, as, as the years would
come and you'd start developingmore and more infections,
because you know, with growingup, obviously comes more stress
(07:50):
and stress is a big enemy tolupus. So if anything, it
probably I look back at it now,it probably was just best that I
didn't go to school back then soearly, because I probably would
have not made it through the,the courses, because it was
college. But you know, withwork, you have some sick leave,
and then you know, sometimes youjust have to take the ticket
(08:12):
without pay. So you know, I didwhat I could, but thankfully
eventually was able to, to getbetter and get back into school.
Nena Contreras Barnett (08:22):
So you never really thought about going
into the medical field beforeyour transplant.
Carol Loya (08:27):
Not at that point.
Specifically, I did have anadmiration for the nurses, and
all the medical staff that Iwould deal with. So often as I'd
be in the hospital for thoseinfections, and, you know, when
you're in there for a week, youkind of get to know these
people, they become your, yourfriends, you know, it could or
sometimes can even consider themfamily because the nursing
(08:47):
staff, you know, they, they goin and they do their job, but
you know, they they also, youknow, establish a relationship
with each patient. And that'skind of what was very admirable
that they would get to know youand build that bond.
Nena Contreras Barnett (09:04):
And so let's fast forward to the
transplant. So you were 20...
you were 21 years old when yourkidneys failed. And then we were
trying to... you and I weretrying to do the math, the only
way that I remember is that itwas when Jared was born, which
was 1993 when you had yourtransplant. So how did that
(09:24):
change your perspective aboutyou wanting to go into the
medical field?
Carol Loya (09:33):
Well, all my life it's just been a continuous
relationship with people in themedical field. And, you know,
that takes me back from the highschool years and then you know,
when we were dealing with thethe issues with the kidney, you
know, all the way up until withwith mom's illness, you know,
with cancer, so I've just hadthem in my life for such a long
(09:56):
period of time. When it cametime to go back that I was able
to go back to school, thank Godbecause of my health was was
good enough and I was able toget back in there. And, you
know, the... obviously thecounselors, you know, they asked
you "Well, what field you know,do you want to go into?" And
honestly, it was the first thingthat popped into my mind. It's
(10:18):
not like I had that desire, butit's like, "What else? What else
would I want to do? I want to dosomething that I, I admire and
know that. Also, I'll be doing agood service." So I chose that.
Nena Contreras Barnett (10:29):
Okay, and so once you went back to
school, what were some of thechallenges that you faced in
going back to school?
Carol Loya (10:38):
While at that time, I didn't really face too many
challenges, because thankfully,I had had my transplant, thank
God and thanks to you, but Imean, obviously, I surpassed all
those serious infections,because my trans... my lupus
status had basically gonedormant. And so I wasn't having
(10:58):
those constant flare ups andcausing me to... my immune
system to drop and getinfections. And you know, just
all the complications that youcan have with lupus. I just
wasn't having them as, as I wasbefore, with your classic lupus
complications. Like if you'dopen up a textbook, you'd see,
(11:19):
when I finally did do that, Isaw that I had gotten every
complication that I could, youcould get with lupus. But those
were in the early years, youknow, when I was young, and I,
between the 15 and the, themaybe 20. So I you know, once
that once I got back onto intothe rhythm after the transplant
and got back into school, Ididn't really have any issues
(11:40):
going to school.
Nena Contreras Barnett (11:42):
So now you graduated. And we were so
excited. And so you were thesecond person in our in our
immediate family to graduatefrom college, both of us Miners,
yay, Go Miners. So, now that youso you graduate, and you get
hired, Okay, where was yourfirst job at? And what were your
first few weeks, like on thenursing floor? We talked about
(12:04):
this a couple days ago. At whatpoint did you realize that your
body just was not going to letyou do this kind of work like
you had planned?
Carol Loya (12:12):
So I made the decision to probably go to the
busiest floor, which I probablylook back at now and say maybe
that wasn't the right choice.
But I really wanted to get myfeet in there and just be as...
get as much experience andknowledge that I could through.
One on One nursing and so Ichose the Med Surg floor. And
because it was so fast paced,really you're... you're on your
(12:36):
feet for maybe I'd say 10, 11 ofthe 13 hours you put in for each
shift, even sometimes 14. I wasrealizing that when I was
getting off of work, I wascompletely exhausted both
physically and also mentally. Iyou know, kind of was realizing
(12:58):
as well that I may have chosenthe wrong floor or even the
wrong profession because therewas so much illness on the
floor. It was.. I was in fearimmediately when I started
realizing how... when it justkind of hit me that I was so
faced with the constant, likeyou know, C- Diff and the MERSA
(13:22):
infections. A I just constantlywashing my hands because of
course that's what you'resupposed to do. But I did not
realize that after all of theyears with my with my... I'm
sorry to hear you...
Nena Contreras Barnett (13:36):
That your body was just not going to
be able to combat those things.
I mean, even for you know,somebody like me with a healthy
immune system, that time that Igot a staph infection that was
really hard for my body to fightit. Yours is even more magnified
with the lupus and your immunesystem being compromised. And it
was even more compromised afterthe transplant because now
you're on immunosuppressants, soyou don't lose the kidneys.
(13:58):
So...
Carol Loya (14:00):
Right, but I did feel so good that I and I was so
proud that I was getting throughschool and I had, you know,
gotten... gotten through andgraduated. And I didn't really
think about those things. I justwanted to keep going and I was
just so happy and so excited.
And I made the choice and I didit. But because I've been on
prednisone, the steroidcorticosteroid medication for
(14:22):
since I was 15 up until thisdate, which we're talking almost
30 years later, I... my skin isso thin. And so imagine washing
after in and out of every room,and sanitizer constantly. My
hands were bleeding through thegloves. And while I was you know
trying to do patient care itwas.. I was really at that
(14:43):
point coming to realize this isjust not gonna work. So I did
have to approach you know, theupper staff management there and
let them know that it wasn'tgoing to be a match for me and I
had to put in my notice.
Nena Contreras Barnett (14:58):
So how did the door then open for you
to go into home health?
Carol Loya (15:03):
So when I stopped working at the hospital, I took
some time off trying to make,you know, decide what was the
best choice for me. And I wasconsidering, you know, trying to
go back to school and I didn'tknow exactly what the plan
was... just try to advance my,my knowledge there and maybe
major in something else. But ofcourse, you know, the real world
(15:26):
hit and the husband kind oflooked at me like, okay, maybe
it's time to start looking for ajob. And back in at that time,
you know, opened up thenewspaper, and there was a an
advertisement for home healthcase management. And I kind of
knew about the word casemanagement from a relative of
(15:46):
ours that did case managementfor nursing. So I thought,
"Okay, well, you know, it's notgoing to hurt me to try." I
called they asked me to go in,same day, they hired me on the
spot. So it was just a blessing.
I think that led me to that tostart my career in home health.
Nena Contreras Barnett (16:03):
And once you got into it, how did that
differ from hospital work? Werethere different skills?
Obviously, you're you're notbeing exposed to all of those,
those illnesses, even though youknow, you are, you do have some
people that have contagiousillnesses that you're dealing
with. But what are some of themanagement skills that helped
(16:23):
you develop?
Carol Loya (16:26):
Well, as a, as a home health nurse case, manager,
you are really managing theillnesses, or maybe postdoc
status of several patients.
There's usually another nurseinvolved and that does daily
visits, but you're you'remonitoring the case-- you do the
first visit, you do anyrecertifications. And while
(16:47):
you're doing these visits, youyou're still performing nursing
care. So if I had, if, during myvisit, I still was able to do
you know, do IVs, treatments,wound vac for for wound
treatments, you know, learn howto do that, which was a
wonderful experience. But what Iloved about it the most is that
(17:09):
it wasn't just going into theroom and you know, meeting the
people in a hospital scenario,you you literally could stay
there and you know, really getto know the patient and what's
going on and really try to helpthe patient learn about their
illness. Because it gives youthe option, the opportunity to
do that. Actually, you'resupposed to as a home health
(17:29):
nurse, every time you visit,teach something on that visit.
So I mean, it differs just alittle bit but you you learn how
to case manage, and constantlyknow exactly what's going on
with your patient and what theirneeds are. And then you follow
up and try to meet those needswith whatever is ordered by the
doctors or even the nurseshelping you with the case.
Nena Contreras Barnett (17:52):
But you didn't technically have to have
your case managementcertification at that point, or
when did you did you go aboutgetting that? And like, what is
the process for doing that?
Carol Loya (18:03):
Okay, so with home health case, management, you do
not require a case managementcertification. I didn't know
that. But I also, you know, knewthe situation that I was in and
I needed a job and I wanted todo... try this out. With the,
always knowing, like I said thatI knew somebody that did case
(18:26):
management for workerscompensation, that knew that I
would be interested in somethinglike that. So while I was doing
my case management for homehealth, there was an opportunity
presented to me and I took itand it led me to workers
compensation case management,and that's, you have to do that
(18:48):
for a while. You know, maybelike a year or so, underneath
someone who's already certified,or a company and then that's how
you get your, yourcertification, you have to test
for it.
Nena Contreras Barnett (19:02):
And so, now you're working in case
management under this company,like on a contract, right, and
you were quite busy. But at whatpoint did you did you realize,
"Hey, I can just like hang up myown shingle and have my own
company?" Like that, I mean tobe brave enough to take
(19:26):
something as complex as medicalcase management, and be willing
to put your name on the doorthat for me is scary. So how did
you make that decision?
Carol Loya (19:38):
I knew only have a couple of nurses out there in
the El Paso area that had donehad gone to do that independent
case management. So I'd alwaysadmired the fact that they
basically kind of cut out themiddleman and they were their
own boss and I just knew thatone day I should try that.
(19:58):
Because I just didn't want tonot let my ambition and where it
where I was, and I told myself Iwas going to do it. And when I
turned 50, I said, you need todo this, there's no way, there's
no backing out if you don't makeit, and then if you don't have
enough business, you can alwaysgo back and work for the
(20:19):
company. Because I'd worked forthe companies for, you know, so
over 10 years, and so I'drealize that, you know, there,
they were making a lot of moneyoff of what I did. And I was the
one with the knowledge, I wasthe one with a certification. So
all I needed to do was justbasically cut out the middleman.
(20:41):
So I decided at that age, that Iwas going to give it a try. I
didn't do it until after 51though. I still I still was a
little afraid. But once I put myfoot down and I said, Carol, you
got it, you got to take thechance. And I had the support,
you know, to do it for myhusband. So I said, Okay, start
(21:02):
it up. And I just looked on theweb, and I found how to do it.
And I walked into the County ofEl Paso and I asked to open up
the LLC business under my name.
Nena Contreras Barnett (21:14):
Wow. I'm so what are the qualities that
you bring to the table that youthink other agencies might not
have? You mentioned that therewas a couple of other nurses in
El Paso that are doing whatyou're doing. But what makes you
different? And and you know, Italk a lot about what it means
to be a pasionaria. How do youwhen you go and you know, offer
(21:39):
your services to a doctor ornetwork or something like how do
you show them that that's whoyou are?
Carol Loya (21:47):
Well, I've always considered myself to be an
advocate for the patient. Andwhen it's workers compensation,
there's so many people involved,you know, you have your
insurance carrier, you have thedoctors, the patient. So you
have the employer, so there'sjust... you got to be able to
(22:08):
present yourself to eachindividual party as that you're
there for them, to help themmove the case along. So really
being that I'm an independentnurse case manager, I get to
control my work, and how much Ido for each individual case. You
know, of course, sometimes thatmeans working way after hours,
(22:30):
but I, if I see the need, I'mgoing to do that. But I just
want to.... I present myself asjust a very, you know,
straightforward person who isgoing to try out, try to follow
up and provide the services foreach individual party. Because
(22:51):
when you're when you're with thepatient, of course, they need to
know that you're going to try toget them the treatment that they
need in a timely manner. And thedoctors, that's really what they
want. And of course, if you turnaround and remember, I don't
know if you remember, but I diddo case management services for
an employer sidete as well. So Iknow what everybody wants. I
(23:11):
just have to... when I'mpresenting and I have to sell it
the way that each individualparty knows what they want.
Nena Contreras Barnett (23:19):
Do you think that there is a difference
between you being a female ownerversus the male owner? Does that
change what you bring to thetable at all?
Carol Loya (23:29):
The only thing that I can say about that is that the
majority of nurse case managersfor workers compensation are
female. So I mean it just thatyou know, I tried to just keep
doing what I do on a on aindependent level versus you
(23:50):
know, going out there and beinga same case manager for there's
like three of them, give you anexample- three of them that work
for one company, you know theyI'm there and I'm showing that
hey, I have the time to dowhatever you need me to do.
Nena Contreras Barnett (24:10):
If you'd like to hear more stories like
these about pasionarias in everywalk of life. Join me at my blog
SomosPasionarias.com. I'll tellmy stories about growing up
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(24:30):
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adelante. And now back to mycurrent amazing guest...
(24:58):
So I know your biggestcheerleader besides me, of
course, is your husband, Rene.
Tell us a little bit about Rene,and how did he help you build
this business?
Carol Loya (25:09):
Well, first of all, Rene is also graduated from
college, and he did get aMaster's... not a Master's- a
Bachelor's in businessmanagement. And so he was
obviously in the field that Ineeded him to be when it was
needed most in our life. He wasjob searching actually, when,
(25:34):
right after I opened up thebusiness that we had got the
unfortunate news that he was letgo from the company that he
worked at.
Nena Contreras Barnett (25:41):
Yeah.
Carol Loya (25:42):
So as I started becoming super busy, I realized
that I needed to use myhusband's skills, and I brought
him on board. And so he was ableto really helped me with the,
all the financial and tax stuffthat needed to get done for the
business. And he would alsoaccompany me to some of the
(26:05):
visits, just helping me. Whilehe drove me, I would work,
instead of downtime, and medriving. So that happened for
the the initial part of ourbusiness opening. And now he
does have a part time job, buthe still handles the books. So
his support is still ongoing,and I am so appreciative of him.
Nena Contreras Barnett (26:25):
So this is kind of a sticky question,
but we you and I talked about ita little bit. So growing up with
my mom building her Jafrabusiness, which I haven't had an
opportunity to talk about on thepodcast yet. But my mom built a
six figure business with JafraCosmetics, and my dad would do
(26:47):
things like unpack her ordersand deliver orders and run a
bank deposit over. And I feellike he often felt like he was
her lackey. How have you andRenee overcome that? How are you
like, like, lifting him up towhere he does not feel like
(27:08):
he's, you know, just kind oftagging along?
Carol Loya (27:14):
Well, obviously, I tell him so many times that I
would not be able to be doingthis without him. Because I do
not know any part of thatbusiness management stuff or the
finance part. So I know that ifthat would end, I don't know if
I'd be able to continue becauseI would I'm not good with
numbers. But I think early on,because we were so blessed, and
(27:38):
that he was able to work withme, and actually experience
going out to these appointmentsand seeing how I, you know,
would follow up and documentand, you know, generate the the
numbers that I needed to show mybillable time. He obviously
(27:59):
because he was seeing thenumbers was able to see that
this was gonna work out for us.
And it had to be this way,because it was just easier for
us to reach our goals this way.
And so since he learned that,he's on board, 100%. And, you
know, he's hopefully able tocontinue to do this. And I think
he'll be fine with it. Becauseit's, you know, the paint... the
(28:23):
picture paints itself, it'sclear to both of us that this is
the way it ended up being butit's the best for us.
Nena Contreras Barnett (28:31):
And I think that's one thing that I
really admire about yourmarriage is like you said, the
picture is painted so clear.
Like you guys have a clear focusthat, you know, you started this
business at age 50. Which, Imean, there's a lot of us that
are thinking, I wouldn't want totry something new at age 50. You
know, what if I fail, and hereyou're diving head in, headfirst
(28:52):
into this business. And so Ithink a lot of it is because you
guys are have been, likevisualizing all of this, that at
this age, we'll have the housepaid off at this age, we'll have
this much in our retirementaccount, at this age. We'll
build this business together.
(29:13):
And so visualizing that togetherI think has been a big key. So
that kind of brings me to mynext question, my next comment
here. I was just so excited tohear that Renee. I know how hard
he's been training. He's beendieting He's been running. And
he recently ran the El PasoMarathon. Was that his first
marathon? Remind me....
Carol Loya (29:33):
No, actually this is probably it's like his fourth El
Paso Marathon. But you rememberhe does have a... his love has
always been triathlons before hemet me. So he is getting back on
board and think his goal, hisnext goal, is going to be the
triathlon again. So he's prettyhappy. He made... he beat his
(29:55):
last numbers and he's gonna keepgoing.
Nena Contreras Barnett (29:57):
Awesome.
Well, we're gonna keep theguestroom ready for you guys for
the Rock & Roll Marathon in SanAntonio here in October. So make
sure to sign up for that one.
But so how has it doing thisbusiness together, given you the
freedom to help him follow hisdreams and passions to? So he's
been supporting you on all thesedreams and passions, but now
(30:18):
that you are a sole owner, youhave a lot of freedom to work
your own schedule. How has thathelped you support him?
Carol Loya (30:27):
Well, I mean, we just try to work around each
other's schedules. And, youknow, if, if I see that it's
time that he's gonna, you know,take his love and go run or get
on the bike, or whatever hedoes, then, you know, I'll pick
up some slack and you know,like, let the business be on
hold for a moment. You know,he'll come back from his run,
(30:49):
and he'll, you know, eatsomething and take up in the
kitchen or whatever. It stillneeds to get done. And I get
back on the books, get back onthe computer and start
generating.
Nena Contreras Barnett (31:01):
So that kind of is my next point that...
I was talking about how havingthis illness, what I'm not, I
can't remember what the lifeexpectancy is for somebody that
is diagnosed with lupus, at avery young age is but obviously,
you know, you know what thosethose numbers are, and you've
(31:23):
already... Like, I telleverybody, when we talk about
you, that when you were firstdiagnosed, doctors were saying,
you know, that you weren't gonnasee 18. And then you did. And
then they're like, Well, youknow, 21 is like the, the
average rate. And you beat that,you know. And then you have, we
(31:46):
have actually, I don't even knowwhat the record is for the
longest kidney transplant, butwe're about to hit 29 years with
this kidney. And so that'scrazy.
Carol Loya (31:57):
It is, it really is,
Nena Contreras Barnett (31:59):
Yeah.
So how are you continuing toinvest in growing your business
while still enjoying life'sadventures while you can? How
are you balancing the time thatit takes to grow this business,
which is you know, only threeyears old, it's still in its
infancy, and still enjoy makingmemories and all of that? How do
(32:20):
you find that balance?
Carol Loya (32:25):
Well, I mean, it takes both of us to my husband
and I to try to find a balance,and, you know, we will plan
things and try to keep somenormalcy within the marriage.
And, but right now, I thinkwe've realized that, you know,
(32:46):
having already three years withthe business, and the amount of
work that I have, with thecases, and that, of course, it
turns into more work for him.
You know, it's, it's, we'reprobably in a situation where I
don't need or we don't need tohave it that much business
coming in. So actually, I'mgoing to tell you that today was
(33:09):
the first day that I declined acase referral. And I felt
terrible, because I know apatient out there needs it, but
they'll set them up with atelephonic case manager. But I
just think I need to try tobring down the load a little bit
so that I can continue tomaintain balance, and help
continue this lifestyle that wewant and dream for. You know,
(33:31):
too much doesn't always meanit's the best.
Nena Contreras Barnett (33:38):
So what is your legacy that you hope to
leave behind with this business?
Carol Loya (33:45):
The legacy is that if you feel there's something
out there that you can do, justput your mind to it, and tell
yourself to go for it. Don'tlook back. And if you fall, get
up and just keep walking.
Nena Contreras Barnett (34:01):
I think that is really amazing advice
for our pasionarias. There'ssomething that you're passionate
about out there. You know, justset your mind to it and go after
it. So, I'm so grateful that youagreed to be my guest. I think
that your story can inspire somany other women that are
(34:22):
dealing with the limitations ofa chronic illness, whether it be
lupus, fibromyalgia, you knowany other chronic illness, to
realize that they can surpassthese limitations that they set
their mind to, they just have togo a different route. You
started off with this one path,and then you just went the back
way and ended up finding moresuccess and more freedom than if
(34:46):
you had continued on thatoriginal path. I'm going to
continue to pray for yourcontinued health and like I
said, we celebrate year 29 thissummer of a healthy transplant.
And we can just thank God forthat and just ask him to
continue to bless us.
Carol Loya (35:00):
Thank you, Nena. And I'm glad you referred to that. I
thank God for all my blessingsand for you. And I'm very happy
that I was able to share mystory with you and the
pasionarias out there.
Nena Contreras Barnett (35:12):
Well, thank you.
Thank you pasionarias forjoining us today. I look forward
to sharing more stories of womendriven by their passions,
changing lives and leading us byexample. May we all continue to
be pasionarias, lifting eachother up and cheering each other
(35:33):
on as we follow our dreams. Makesure to subscribe to my podcasts
so you don't miss any newepisodes, and follow me on
social at @somospasionarias sowe can get to know each other.
Siguen adelante, con pasion.
Bienvenidos a Somos Pasionarias. Welcome to
Somos Pasionarias, where we talkabout women who are changing
lives and leaving legacies bypursuing their passions. My name
is Nena Contreras Barnett. I'm apasionaria and your host. Juntas
somos pasionarias! Join me tomeet some amazing women and
(00:35):
explore what it means to liveyour passions and realize your
dreams.
Hola Pasionarias! Thank you forjoining me again to chat with
another amazing pasionaria. Ourguest today and I have a very
(00:56):
special link. Carol ContrerasLoya is my baby sister. But we
have another very special andrare link: we share a pair of
kidneys. Carol was diagnosedwith lupus, a chronic illness
when she was only 15. At a timewhen I was worried about pep
rallies and collegeapplications, she was fighting
for her life with multiplehospital stays and surgeries. At
(01:18):
the age of 21, her diseaseattacked her kidneys. Her
doctors tested us all and foundthat she and I were a perfect
six antigen match. After hertransplant of my kidney in 1993.
Carol was inspired to studynursing to help other transplant
patients, and despite her healthstruggles, worked hard to earn a
degree from UTEP, the Universityof Texas at El Paso, becoming
(01:40):
the second in our family tocross a university stage.
However, her illness madetraditional nursing next to
impossible for Carol and shebegan to search for other
avenues where she could use herhard won nursing degree without
the long hours and risks to herown health. A cousin of ours
reached out to her about anopportunity in the home health
realm where she could set herown schedule and not be on her
(02:03):
feet as much. Carol found thatthe individualized patient
contact and ability to followand celebrate progress, brought
her the fulfillment that she wassearching for. She took the next
steps to earn her casemanagement certification and
built a career with a large casemanagement company working with
Workers' Compensation cases.
However, that entrepreneurialnature inspired in us by our mom
(02:25):
continued to pull at her andwith the support of her husband,
who was working in marketingwhile pursuing his own degree,
she launched her own company,Allianze Case Management.
Starting with just a fewcontacts, she pounded the
pavement, built relationshipswith doctors and networks, and
was able to land lucrativecontracts with the Department of
Labor. She recently celebratedher company's third anniversary.
(02:47):
Join us to hear about how herillness manifested into a
passion for providingcompassionate, dedicated health
care and what drives her tocontinue to be a leader in her
industry. Vamonos, juntas somospasionarias!
All right, hello, I've got mywonderful sister here. I'm so
(03:09):
excited that you're here with metoday. We talk a lot about all
of the dreams and everythingthat you have been pursuing, and
I'm just really excited forother people to hear what you
have to say. So... so welcome.
Carol Loya (03:24):
Thanks, Nena. I'm so happy to be here.
Nena Contreras Barnett (03:26):
Awesome.
Okay, so I talked a little bitin my introduction about your
illness. You were diagnosed withlupus and kind of have had to
gear your life around that. Andso I want to talk about how that
inspired you to do what you'redoing right now and how you
overcame the challenges thatwere faced with that with that
(03:47):
illness. So tell me a little bitabout your illness like what is
lupus? When and how were youdiagnosed and being diagnosed as
a teenager which is like such acritical age for people, how did
that make you feel being ateenager and having this
illness?
Carol Loya (04:03):
Okay, so Lupus is a autoimmune disease and basically
what that disease kind of doesis it attacks your your own
body, like the immune system isdecreased. So your body is kind
of attacking itself. It's achronic illness, there is really
(04:25):
not a known cause for it. So youknow, you get can get a lot of
infections because your immunesystem is really on the
defensive side. And so I wasdiagnosed when I was 15 years
old. That made me I think like asophomore in high school, I
believe thinking back. And forme, being a teenager that was
(04:49):
actually like going to highschool at a school that was
across the street from thecounty hospital where I was
treating at- in their clinic aswell, as you know, when I'd have
hospital stays, it was kind ofit was kind of nice and kind of
hard for me. But, you know,there was watching all my kids
(05:11):
in my group of age (teens) thatwere out there doing their usual
things as high school studentsand sitting sometimes in by the
window and watching all that goby was a little bit difficult
for me. But luckily, I gotthrough it. Luckily, you know,
with the help of the teachersand mom, and even you sometimes
I remember, you helped me a lotwith my schoolwork, I was able
(05:33):
to maintain, you know, some goodgrades. So that was, you know,
something that I felt good aboutaccomplishing, still having have
gone through all of that, but itwas difficult just spending so
much time across the street,after I'd get diagnosed with an
infection have to go in fornever less than a week for IV
antibiotics. So I, you know, bemissing out a lot on on my
school and associating with theclassmates and stuff like that.
Nena Contreras Barnett (05:59):
And they didn't have like, all that stuff
that they have now, like, youknow, we have homebound teachers
that go to your home and helpyou if you can't come to school.
And you know, of course, withvirtual learning, you know, even
kids that are at home, likewe've had all these quarantine
kids, that can still access thesame education and you didn't
have access to that, becausethere was nothing like that at
(06:21):
the time.
Carol Loya (06:22):
No, back in that time, it was, you know, the
teachers would try to send overwhatever work that they could.
But it really I mean, I'm sure,they were very limited being
that they didn't have the toolsthat they have now and, you
know, to help students that arein same situations.
Nena Contreras Barnett (06:39):
So knowing what you knew about your
illness and the prognosis thatyou had, did you ever think that
you were going to go to college,I, I, we talked a little bit
about that support group thatyou were in, in Thomason (County
Hospital). So many young girlsyour age that were so sick, did
that make you realize how graveyour illness was, and that you
(07:02):
were in danger of dying?
Carol Loya (07:05):
Well, I mean, not so much that it kind of guided me
if I wanted to go to college, asfar as decision making, because,
you know, it was just hard, hardfor me to decide to what the
next step in my life was goingto be. And I think, as I started
entering the adulthood andstarted, you know, I did get a
(07:26):
job while I was actually lastyear of high school, that work
school program, and you know,you start earning money, and I
was I was able to tolerate, youknow, those, those early jobs
when we first started. But, youknow, as, as the years would
come and you'd start developingmore and more infections,
because you know, with growingup, obviously comes more stress
(07:50):
and stress is a big enemy tolupus. So if anything, it
probably I look back at it now,it probably was just best that I
didn't go to school back then soearly, because I probably would
have not made it through the,the courses, because it was
college. But you know, withwork, you have some sick leave,
and then you know, sometimes youjust have to take the ticket
(08:12):
without pay. So you know, I didwhat I could, but thankfully
eventually was able to, to getbetter and get back into school.
Nena Contreras Barnett (08:22):
So you never really thought about going
into the medical field beforeyour transplant.
Carol Loya (08:27):
Not at that point.
Specifically, I did have anadmiration for the nurses, and
all the medical staff that Iwould deal with. So often as I'd
be in the hospital for thoseinfections, and, you know, when
you're in there for a week, youkind of get to know these
people, they become your, yourfriends, you know, it could or
sometimes can even consider themfamily because the nursing
(08:47):
staff, you know, they, they goin and they do their job, but
you know, they they also, youknow, establish a relationship
with each patient. And that'skind of what was very admirable
that they would get to know youand build that bond.
Nena Contreras Barnett (09:04):
And so let's fast forward to the
transplant. So you were 20...
you were 21 years old when yourkidneys failed. And then we were
trying to... you and I weretrying to do the math, the only
way that I remember is that itwas when Jared was born, which
was 1993 when you had yourtransplant. So how did that
(09:24):
change your perspective aboutyou wanting to go into the
medical field?
Carol Loya (09:33):
Well, all my life it's just been a continuous
relationship with people in themedical field. And, you know,
that takes me back from the highschool years and then you know,
when we were dealing with thethe issues with the kidney, you
know, all the way up until withwith mom's illness, you know,
with cancer, so I've just hadthem in my life for such a long
(09:56):
period of time. When it cametime to go back that I was able
to go back to school, thank Godbecause of my health was was
good enough and I was able toget back in there. And, you
know, the... obviously thecounselors, you know, they asked
you "Well, what field you know,do you want to go into?" And
honestly, it was the first thingthat popped into my mind. It's
(10:18):
not like I had that desire, butit's like, "What else? What else
would I want to do? I want to dosomething that I, I admire and
know that. Also, I'll be doing agood service." So I chose that.
Nena Contreras Barnett (10:29):
Okay, and so once you went back to
school, what were some of thechallenges that you faced in
going back to school?
Carol Loya (10:38):
While at that time, I didn't really face too many
challenges, because thankfully,I had had my transplant, thank
God and thanks to you, but Imean, obviously, I surpassed all
those serious infections,because my trans... my lupus
status had basically gonedormant. And so I wasn't having
(10:58):
those constant flare ups andcausing me to... my immune
system to drop and getinfections. And you know, just
all the complications that youcan have with lupus. I just
wasn't having them as, as I wasbefore, with your classic lupus
complications. Like if you'dopen up a textbook, you'd see,
(11:19):
when I finally did do that, Isaw that I had gotten every
complication that I could, youcould get with lupus. But those
were in the early years, youknow, when I was young, and I,
between the 15 and the, themaybe 20. So I you know, once
that once I got back onto intothe rhythm after the transplant
and got back into school, Ididn't really have any issues
(11:40):
going to school.
Nena Contreras Barnett (11:42):
So now you graduated. And we were so
excited. And so you were thesecond person in our in our
immediate family to graduatefrom college, both of us Miners,
yay, Go Miners. So, now that youso you graduate, and you get
hired, Okay, where was yourfirst job at? And what were your
first few weeks, like on thenursing floor? We talked about
(12:04):
this a couple days ago. At whatpoint did you realize that your
body just was not going to letyou do this kind of work like
you had planned?
Carol Loya (12:12):
So I made the decision to probably go to the
busiest floor, which I probablylook back at now and say maybe
that wasn't the right choice.
But I really wanted to get myfeet in there and just be as...
get as much experience andknowledge that I could through.
One on One nursing and so Ichose the Med Surg floor. And
because it was so fast paced,really you're... you're on your
(12:36):
feet for maybe I'd say 10, 11 ofthe 13 hours you put in for each
shift, even sometimes 14. I wasrealizing that when I was
getting off of work, I wascompletely exhausted both
physically and also mentally. Iyou know, kind of was realizing
(12:58):
as well that I may have chosenthe wrong floor or even the
wrong profession because therewas so much illness on the
floor. It was.. I was in fearimmediately when I started
realizing how... when it justkind of hit me that I was so
faced with the constant, likeyou know, C- Diff and the MERSA
(13:22):
infections. A I just constantlywashing my hands because of
course that's what you'resupposed to do. But I did not
realize that after all of theyears with my with my... I'm
sorry to hear you...
Nena Contreras Barnett (13:36):
That your body was just not going to
be able to combat those things.
I mean, even for you know,somebody like me with a healthy
immune system, that time that Igot a staph infection that was
really hard for my body to fightit. Yours is even more magnified
with the lupus and your immunesystem being compromised. And it
was even more compromised afterthe transplant because now
you're on immunosuppressants, soyou don't lose the kidneys.
(13:58):
So...
Carol Loya (14:00):
Right, but I did feel so good that I and I was so
proud that I was getting throughschool and I had, you know,
gotten... gotten through andgraduated. And I didn't really
think about those things. I justwanted to keep going and I was
just so happy and so excited.
And I made the choice and I didit. But because I've been on
prednisone, the steroidcorticosteroid medication for
(14:22):
since I was 15 up until thisdate, which we're talking almost
30 years later, I... my skin isso thin. And so imagine washing
after in and out of every room,and sanitizer constantly. My
hands were bleeding through thegloves. And while I was you know
trying to do patient care itwas.. I was really at that
(14:43):
point coming to realize this isjust not gonna work. So I did
have to approach you know, theupper staff management there and
let them know that it wasn'tgoing to be a match for me and I
had to put in my notice.
Nena Contreras Barnett (14:58):
So how did the door then open for you
to go into home health?
Carol Loya (15:03):
So when I stopped working at the hospital, I took
some time off trying to make,you know, decide what was the
best choice for me. And I wasconsidering, you know, trying to
go back to school and I didn'tknow exactly what the plan
was... just try to advance my,my knowledge there and maybe
major in something else. But ofcourse, you know, the real world
(15:26):
hit and the husband kind oflooked at me like, okay, maybe
it's time to start looking for ajob. And back in at that time,
you know, opened up thenewspaper, and there was a an
advertisement for home healthcase management. And I kind of
knew about the word casemanagement from a relative of
(15:46):
ours that did case managementfor nursing. So I thought,
"Okay, well, you know, it's notgoing to hurt me to try." I
called they asked me to go in,same day, they hired me on the
spot. So it was just a blessing.
I think that led me to that tostart my career in home health.
Nena Contreras Barnett (16:03):
And once you got into it, how did that
differ from hospital work? Werethere different skills?
Obviously, you're you're notbeing exposed to all of those,
those illnesses, even though youknow, you are, you do have some
people that have contagiousillnesses that you're dealing
with. But what are some of themanagement skills that helped
(16:23):
you develop?
Carol Loya (16:26):
Well, as a, as a home health nurse case, manager,
you are really managing theillnesses, or maybe postdoc
status of several patients.
There's usually another nurseinvolved and that does daily
visits, but you're you'remonitoring the case-- you do the
first visit, you do anyrecertifications. And while
(16:47):
you're doing these visits, youyou're still performing nursing
care. So if I had, if, during myvisit, I still was able to do
you know, do IVs, treatments,wound vac for for wound
treatments, you know, learn howto do that, which was a
wonderful experience. But what Iloved about it the most is that
(17:09):
it wasn't just going into theroom and you know, meeting the
people in a hospital scenario,you you literally could stay
there and you know, really getto know the patient and what's
going on and really try to helpthe patient learn about their
illness. Because it gives youthe option, the opportunity to
do that. Actually, you'resupposed to as a home health
(17:29):
nurse, every time you visit,teach something on that visit.
So I mean, it differs just alittle bit but you you learn how
to case manage, and constantlyknow exactly what's going on
with your patient and what theirneeds are. And then you follow
up and try to meet those needswith whatever is ordered by the
doctors or even the nurseshelping you with the case.
Nena Contreras Barnett (17:52):
But you didn't technically have to have
your case managementcertification at that point, or
when did you did you go aboutgetting that? And like, what is
the process for doing that?
Carol Loya (18:03):
Okay, so with home health case, management, you do
not require a case managementcertification. I didn't know
that. But I also, you know, knewthe situation that I was in and
I needed a job and I wanted todo... try this out. With the,
always knowing, like I said thatI knew somebody that did case
(18:26):
management for workerscompensation, that knew that I
would be interested in somethinglike that. So while I was doing
my case management for homehealth, there was an opportunity
presented to me and I took itand it led me to workers
compensation case management,and that's, you have to do that
(18:48):
for a while. You know, maybelike a year or so, underneath
someone who's already certified,or a company and then that's how
you get your, yourcertification, you have to test
for it.
Nena Contreras Barnett (19:02):
And so, now you're working in case
management under this company,like on a contract, right, and
you were quite busy. But at whatpoint did you did you realize,
"Hey, I can just like hang up myown shingle and have my own
company?" Like that, I mean tobe brave enough to take
(19:26):
something as complex as medicalcase management, and be willing
to put your name on the doorthat for me is scary. So how did
you make that decision?
Carol Loya (19:38):
I knew only have a couple of nurses out there in
the El Paso area that had donehad gone to do that independent
case management. So I'd alwaysadmired the fact that they
basically kind of cut out themiddleman and they were their
own boss and I just knew thatone day I should try that.
(19:58):
Because I just didn't want tonot let my ambition and where it
where I was, and I told myself Iwas going to do it. And when I
turned 50, I said, you need todo this, there's no way, there's
no backing out if you don't makeit, and then if you don't have
enough business, you can alwaysgo back and work for the
(20:19):
company. Because I'd worked forthe companies for, you know, so
over 10 years, and so I'drealize that, you know, there,
they were making a lot of moneyoff of what I did. And I was the
one with the knowledge, I wasthe one with a certification. So
all I needed to do was justbasically cut out the middleman.
(20:41):
So I decided at that age, that Iwas going to give it a try. I
didn't do it until after 51though. I still I still was a
little afraid. But once I put myfoot down and I said, Carol, you
got it, you got to take thechance. And I had the support,
you know, to do it for myhusband. So I said, Okay, start
(21:02):
it up. And I just looked on theweb, and I found how to do it.
And I walked into the County ofEl Paso and I asked to open up
the LLC business under my name.
Nena Contreras Barnett (21:14):
Wow. I'm so what are the qualities that
you bring to the table that youthink other agencies might not
have? You mentioned that therewas a couple of other nurses in
El Paso that are doing whatyou're doing. But what makes you
different? And and you know, Italk a lot about what it means
to be a pasionaria. How do youwhen you go and you know, offer
(21:39):
your services to a doctor ornetwork or something like how do
you show them that that's whoyou are?
Carol Loya (21:47):
Well, I've always considered myself to be an
advocate for the patient. Andwhen it's workers compensation,
there's so many people involved,you know, you have your
insurance carrier, you have thedoctors, the patient. So you
have the employer, so there'sjust... you got to be able to
(22:08):
present yourself to eachindividual party as that you're
there for them, to help themmove the case along. So really
being that I'm an independentnurse case manager, I get to
control my work, and how much Ido for each individual case. You
know, of course, sometimes thatmeans working way after hours,
(22:30):
but I, if I see the need, I'mgoing to do that. But I just
want to.... I present myself asjust a very, you know,
straightforward person who isgoing to try out, try to follow
up and provide the services foreach individual party. Because
(22:51):
when you're when you're with thepatient, of course, they need to
know that you're going to try toget them the treatment that they
need in a timely manner. And thedoctors, that's really what they
want. And of course, if you turnaround and remember, I don't
know if you remember, but I diddo case management services for
an employer sidete as well. So Iknow what everybody wants. I
(23:11):
just have to... when I'mpresenting and I have to sell it
the way that each individualparty knows what they want.
Nena Contreras Barnett (23:19):
Do you think that there is a difference
between you being a female ownerversus the male owner? Does that
change what you bring to thetable at all?
Carol Loya (23:29):
The only thing that I can say about that is that the
majority of nurse case managersfor workers compensation are
female. So I mean it just thatyou know, I tried to just keep
doing what I do on a on aindependent level versus you
(23:50):
know, going out there and beinga same case manager for there's
like three of them, give you anexample- three of them that work
for one company, you know theyI'm there and I'm showing that
hey, I have the time to dowhatever you need me to do.
Nena Contreras Barnett (24:10):
If you'd like to hear more stories like
these about pasionarias in everywalk of life. Join me at my blog
SomosPasionarias.com. I'll tellmy stories about growing up
Latina and what drove me tofollow my passions and overcome
my challenges, as well asintroduce you to some of my
idols and mentors. You can findlinks there to follow my crazy
(24:30):
life on Instagram, Twitter, andTik Tok and learn about some of
the things I love on myPinterest page. Make sure to
subscribe so you don't miss ablog post or podcast. Siguen
adelante. And now back to mycurrent amazing guest...
(24:58):
So I know your biggestcheerleader besides me, of
course, is your husband, Rene.
Tell us a little bit about Rene,and how did he help you build
this business?
Carol Loya (25:09):
Well, first of all, Rene is also graduated from
college, and he did get aMaster's... not a Master's- a
Bachelor's in businessmanagement. And so he was
obviously in the field that Ineeded him to be when it was
needed most in our life. He wasjob searching actually, when,
(25:34):
right after I opened up thebusiness that we had got the
unfortunate news that he was letgo from the company that he
worked at.
Nena Contreras Barnett (25:41):
Yeah.
Carol Loya (25:42):
So as I started becoming super busy, I realized
that I needed to use myhusband's skills, and I brought
him on board. And so he was ableto really helped me with the,
all the financial and tax stuffthat needed to get done for the
business. And he would alsoaccompany me to some of the
(26:05):
visits, just helping me. Whilehe drove me, I would work,
instead of downtime, and medriving. So that happened for
the the initial part of ourbusiness opening. And now he
does have a part time job, buthe still handles the books. So
his support is still ongoing,and I am so appreciative of him.
Nena Contreras Barnett (26:25):
So this is kind of a sticky question,
but we you and I talked about ita little bit. So growing up with
my mom building her Jafrabusiness, which I haven't had an
opportunity to talk about on thepodcast yet. But my mom built a
six figure business with JafraCosmetics, and my dad would do
(26:47):
things like unpack her ordersand deliver orders and run a
bank deposit over. And I feellike he often felt like he was
her lackey. How have you andRenee overcome that? How are you
like, like, lifting him up towhere he does not feel like
(27:08):
he's, you know, just kind oftagging along?
Carol Loya (27:14):
Well, obviously, I tell him so many times that I
would not be able to be doingthis without him. Because I do
not know any part of thatbusiness management stuff or the
finance part. So I know that ifthat would end, I don't know if
I'd be able to continue becauseI would I'm not good with
numbers. But I think early on,because we were so blessed, and
(27:38):
that he was able to work withme, and actually experience
going out to these appointmentsand seeing how I, you know,
would follow up and documentand, you know, generate the the
numbers that I needed to show mybillable time. He obviously
(27:59):
because he was seeing thenumbers was able to see that
this was gonna work out for us.
And it had to be this way,because it was just easier for
us to reach our goals this way.
And so since he learned that,he's on board, 100%. And, you
know, he's hopefully able tocontinue to do this. And I think
he'll be fine with it. Becauseit's, you know, the paint... the
(28:23):
picture paints itself, it'sclear to both of us that this is
the way it ended up being butit's the best for us.
Nena Contreras Barnett (28:31):
And I think that's one thing that I
really admire about yourmarriage is like you said, the
picture is painted so clear.
Like you guys have a clear focusthat, you know, you started this
business at age 50. Which, Imean, there's a lot of us that
are thinking, I wouldn't want totry something new at age 50. You
know, what if I fail, and hereyou're diving head in, headfirst
(28:52):
into this business. And so Ithink a lot of it is because you
guys are have been, likevisualizing all of this, that at
this age, we'll have the housepaid off at this age, we'll have
this much in our retirementaccount, at this age. We'll
build this business together.
(29:13):
And so visualizing that togetherI think has been a big key. So
that kind of brings me to mynext question, my next comment
here. I was just so excited tohear that Renee. I know how hard
he's been training. He's beendieting He's been running. And
he recently ran the El PasoMarathon. Was that his first
marathon? Remind me....
Carol Loya (29:33):
No, actually this is probably it's like his fourth El
Paso Marathon. But you rememberhe does have a... his love has
always been triathlons before hemet me. So he is getting back on
board and think his goal, hisnext goal, is going to be the
triathlon again. So he's prettyhappy. He made... he beat his
(29:55):
last numbers and he's gonna keepgoing.
Nena Contreras Barnett (29:57):
Awesome.
Well, we're gonna keep theguestroom ready for you guys for
the Rock & Roll Marathon in SanAntonio here in October. So make
sure to sign up for that one.
But so how has it doing thisbusiness together, given you the
freedom to help him follow hisdreams and passions to? So he's
been supporting you on all thesedreams and passions, but now
(30:18):
that you are a sole owner, youhave a lot of freedom to work
your own schedule. How has thathelped you support him?
Carol Loya (30:27):
Well, I mean, we just try to work around each
other's schedules. And, youknow, if, if I see that it's
time that he's gonna, you know,take his love and go run or get
on the bike, or whatever hedoes, then, you know, I'll pick
up some slack and you know,like, let the business be on
hold for a moment. You know,he'll come back from his run,
(30:49):
and he'll, you know, eatsomething and take up in the
kitchen or whatever. It stillneeds to get done. And I get
back on the books, get back onthe computer and start
generating.
Nena Contreras Barnett (31:01):
So that kind of is my next point that...
I was talking about how havingthis illness, what I'm not, I
can't remember what the lifeexpectancy is for somebody that
is diagnosed with lupus, at avery young age is but obviously,
you know, you know what thosethose numbers are, and you've
(31:23):
already... Like, I telleverybody, when we talk about
you, that when you were firstdiagnosed, doctors were saying,
you know, that you weren't gonnasee 18. And then you did. And
then they're like, Well, youknow, 21 is like the, the
average rate. And you beat that,you know. And then you have, we
(31:46):
have actually, I don't even knowwhat the record is for the
longest kidney transplant, butwe're about to hit 29 years with
this kidney. And so that'scrazy.
Carol Loya (31:57):
It is, it really is,
Nena Contreras Barnett (31:59):
Yeah.
So how are you continuing toinvest in growing your business
while still enjoying life'sadventures while you can? How
are you balancing the time thatit takes to grow this business,
which is you know, only threeyears old, it's still in its
infancy, and still enjoy makingmemories and all of that? How do
(32:20):
you find that balance?
Carol Loya (32:25):
Well, I mean, it takes both of us to my husband
and I to try to find a balance,and, you know, we will plan
things and try to keep somenormalcy within the marriage.
And, but right now, I thinkwe've realized that, you know,
(32:46):
having already three years withthe business, and the amount of
work that I have, with thecases, and that, of course, it
turns into more work for him.
You know, it's, it's, we'reprobably in a situation where I
don't need or we don't need tohave it that much business
coming in. So actually, I'mgoing to tell you that today was
(33:09):
the first day that I declined acase referral. And I felt
terrible, because I know apatient out there needs it, but
they'll set them up with atelephonic case manager. But I
just think I need to try tobring down the load a little bit
so that I can continue tomaintain balance, and help
continue this lifestyle that wewant and dream for. You know,
(33:31):
too much doesn't always meanit's the best.
Nena Contreras Barnett (33:38):
So what is your legacy that you hope to
leave behind with this business?
Carol Loya (33:45):
The legacy is that if you feel there's something
out there that you can do, justput your mind to it, and tell
yourself to go for it. Don'tlook back. And if you fall, get
up and just keep walking.
Nena Contreras Barnett (34:01):
I think that is really amazing advice
for our pasionarias. There'ssomething that you're passionate
about out there. You know, justset your mind to it and go after
it. So, I'm so grateful that youagreed to be my guest. I think
that your story can inspire somany other women that are
(34:22):
dealing with the limitations ofa chronic illness, whether it be
lupus, fibromyalgia, you knowany other chronic illness, to
realize that they can surpassthese limitations that they set
their mind to, they just have togo a different route. You
started off with this one path,and then you just went the back
way and ended up finding moresuccess and more freedom than if
(34:46):
you had continued on thatoriginal path. I'm going to
continue to pray for yourcontinued health and like I
said, we celebrate year 29 thissummer of a healthy transplant.
And we can just thank God forthat and just ask him to
continue to bless us.
Carol Loya (35:00):
Thank you, Nena. And I'm glad you referred to that. I
thank God for all my blessingsand for you. And I'm very happy
that I was able to share mystory with you and the
pasionarias out there.
Nena Contreras Barnett (35:12):
Well, thank you.
Thank you pasionarias forjoining us today. I look forward
to sharing more stories of womendriven by their passions,
changing lives and leading us byexample. May we all continue to
be pasionarias, lifting eachother up and cheering each other
(35:33):
on as we follow our dreams. Makesure to subscribe to my podcasts
so you don't miss any newepisodes, and follow me on
social at @somospasionarias sowe can get to know each other.
Siguen adelante, con pasion.
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