April 28, 2008

I owe a great deal of thanks to Dr. Kanayama. I have been through 10 years of pain from endometriosis. I have been treated for infertility during a long, frustrating and painful 4 and ½ years, with the end result being 2 miscarriages and anaemic looking, green complexion from all of the blood tests, the terrifying hysterosalpingogram that made me think I might be dying from the pain that ensued just after and the numerous hormones that were being prescribed for me. All the while, I was telling my doctors that I thought I had endometriosis. The answer was always: ” ...let’s deal with the fertility issue, since you have a really high FSH for a woman in her early 30’s, and clearly are at the end of your fertility years, and then we will deal with the endometriosis”. I saw 3 different doctors within this period, even a “specialist” in endometriosis.

This past year I moved to New York.  I had entirely given up on having a baby, but realized that as the years went along, my pain was increasing and becoming unbearable, including constant bladder pain, intestinal pain and monthly periods so painful, I had been rushed to the hospital 3 times.

I googled infertility, endometriosis, NYC and I came upon Dr. Kanayama’s website. As a very cautious person who doesn’t put much trust in websites, I began calling everyone I knew who could give me information on this doctor before I went on for an examination.  I am a pretty good networker and the general response from some very reliable sources was: “...not only is he a good doctor, he is a good person”.

I can confirm. Not only do I feel in the very best of professional hands when I go into his office, but from day one, I understood that he would always take the time to listen to me and answer any questions I may have. Indeed, my first visit with him lasted longer than any medical visits I have ever had. His staff  is just the best. Sabrina is always the kindest and most helpful person, who also takes the time necessary with me so that I understand everything, including my insurance issues. And his nurse, Kathy, is an angel. Both of them make me feel like I am hanging out with friends rather than going to the doctor’s office.

Dr. Kanayama knew right away that I had endo from examination. He said a laparoscopy would be in order to understand the extent of it and treat it at the same time. That day, the thing that most reassured me was that this was clearly the doctor I had been searching for for so long; one who not only understood my pain, but devoted his entire career and indeed his life to this specific pain that haunts so many of us and takes away our well being, and in so many cases, our fertility.

I had the laparoscopy done in Greenwich Hospital, most definitely the most comfortable, clean well-staffed hospital I have ever entered. I was treated like a queen for the day, and recovered within about 3-4 days. I had stage III endo and Dr. Kanayama completely excised it, including that which was embedded in my intestines and my bladder. My pain, now 4 months later, is gone! My bladder pain is completely gone, my intestinal difficulties are completely resolved but, to be honest, I wouldn’t know really if my excessive menstrual pain has disappeared because I AM 2 AND ½ MONTHS PREGNANT with what, on the sonograms appears to be a very healthy little tiny future screaming baby! My own natural baby, after 4 and ½ years of trying and hearing from a previous doctor that my only hope was an ovule donation.

Jodi