On today’s episode, we’re honored to hear from Lou Eisenbrandt, who in the late 1960s was a young nurse who answered the call to serve in Vietnam. What she witnessed, what she endured, and what she carried home with her became the foundation for a lifetime of reflection and advocacy.
Her experience didn’t end when the war did. In the years since, she’s written two books and spoken to a variety of audiences- helping shine a long-overdue spotlight on the women who served in Vietnam. And when Parkinson’s disease entered her story, she met it with the same strength and openness that’s defined her life. Today we will talk about her journey through war, healing, motherhood, and purpose—and what it means to carry a story for so many others.
Growing up in a small Illinois town, Lou joined the Army to “see the world.”
After graduating as a Registered Nurse in June 1968, she attended officers’ basic
training, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, then headed to Ft. Dix New Jersey, her first
duty assignment.
In September 1969, she received orders for Vietnam, arriving there on November 1.
During her year at the 91 st Evac Hospital in Chu Lai, she cared for GIs, South
Vietnamese soldiers and civilians, even Viet Cong and NVA soldiers. From malaria
and hepatitis to double amputees, massive head traumas and deadly gunshot
wounds, she saw it all.
Her book, Vietnam Nurse, Mending and Remembering, published in June 2015,
chronicles her experiences. She takes you through the sights and sounds of combat
nursing, waterskiing on the South China Sea, a weekend jeep trip with flak jackets
and helmets, and surviving early-morning rocket attacks.
Since 1970, she has made 4 return trips to Vietnam. In September 2014, she joined
11 other vets, all male, 12 College of the Ozarks students and several faculty
members, to visit sites where each of the vets had been stationed during the war.
The trip was sponsored by the college and became one of the motivating factors for
completing her book.
For the past 40 years, Lou has been sharing her experiences with students,
veterans, and community groups. In addition, she has served on the boards of
directors for numerous not-for-profit organizations and is currently a board
member of the Veterans’ Voices Writing Project. She is a past member of the People
with Parkinson’s Advisory Council of the Parkinson’s Foundation. She has been
employed as a travel agent, children’s cooking instructor, and stained-glass artisan.
Her other interests are: travel, photography, golf, gardening, and grandchildren.
Lou is passionately involved in finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease, which she has
lived with for 22 years as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. In her latest book,
published in May 2022 and titled Unsteady as She Goes: Battling Parkinson’s After
Vietnam, she shares her thoughts on living her best life with a chronic, progressive
disease.
She and her husband Jim have been married for 53 years and live in Leawood
Kansas. They have two children and two grandchildren.
Children’s Mercy Kansas City is built for kids. That’s why we have been taking care of the kids in the community for more than 125 years. Learn more.
What We’re Loving In Kansas City
Dogs Day Out at KC Pet Project
DOZER
Sarah and her toddler, Caroline, got to check out Dozer in Leawood. What a cool place! At DOZER, your child’s imagination can run wild in a hands on construction themed play space designed just for them. From digging in giant sandboxes to operating kid sized equipment, they offer a safe, fun, and engaging environment where young builders can dream, explore, and create. The play space is perfect for family outings, birthday parties, and everyday adventures.
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