February 7, 2010

Writing this testimonial is not as easy as I thought it would be.  It is difficult to retell and have to remember all the pain and heartache that has led up to this point.  I dealt with years of painful periods, being in and out of hospitals with high fevers, pelvic pain and even occasional vomiting.  Each time, I was told it was just a painful period. I just needed to rest and take some pain killers.  This past July I married the man of my dreams and was excited at the prospect of beginning a family.  I became pregnant in early August and within a few days I knew there was something wrong with the pregnancy.  I had painful cramping and my ovaries felt extremely swollen. 

I was repeatedly told by my doctors that this was normal, even though I knew it wasn’t.  I hoped for the best, but knew something was wrong.  I lost my baby in September.  My husband and I were heartbroken and the physical pain became even worse.  My ovaries literally felt as if they were going to burst.  I continued going back to my gyn. for some help in relieving my pain.  I wanted to find out what was wrong.  He kept giving me pain killers, but did not try and find the source of the pain.  I suggested the possibility of Endometriosis and he brushed me off by saying, “Let’s just see how you feel next month and if we find you do have Endo, we can start you on Lupron.”  When he explained what Lupron was, I became disheartened and angry. 

I went home, did my own research, and found Dr. Kanayama’s website and knew he was someone I could trust.  I called his office and spoke to his office assistant, a lovely lady named Sabrina.  To say she is helpful is an understatement.  She does far more than run the office, she comforts you, makes you laugh, and I knew immediately I was in the right place.  Upon an initial exam, Dr. Kanayama found that my uterus was twisted 45 degrees to the left and that I had an advanced stage of Endometriosis with a chocolate cyst filling up my right ovary.  I was terrified, but knew I was in the best possible hands.  Dr. Kanayama is not only a surgeon, he is also a man of faith.  Dr. Kanayama removed the chocolate cyst, a polyp, all of my Endometriosis, and repositioned my uterus.  When I thanked him for all he had done, he explained how he is only doing what God has allowed him to do.  I could not believe a man as brilliant and talented as him could be so humble.  He changed my life and I felt like I would never be able to thank him enough, I still feel that I can’t.

Every time I see him I am in awe of his skill and humanity.  I see Sabrina and hug her as I would a family member.  In many ways they are family to me.  I love them for all they have done and I trust them with my life.  My husband and I are trying to conceive again, but I know we have a better chance because of my surgery to remove the Endo.  I still have a hard time believing that I was fortunate enough to find Dr. Kanayama, but I am so grateful I did.  I am thankful God put me in his path and that he along with his amazing staff have changed my life for the better.  There is a special place in heaven awaiting you Dr. Kanayama because you are truly an angel.

Elizabeth Burke