June, 2009

My experience with Dr. Kanayama has been life altering. Before, I came to the New York Endometriosis Center, I had been shuffled around from different gynecologists, fertility specialists and even gastroenterologists - none of whom seemed to be able to help me. I suffered from sometimes debilitating lower-back pain, severe digestive problems, painful cramping, and intermittent bleeding. Not to mention fatigue! I was so exhausted that I could not even stay awake at night to watch television with my husband. Three years ago, I had undergone surgery for my endometriosis. However, I never felt the same energy that I felt before my diagnosis.

About a year ago, my husband and I started to try for a baby. I went in for a preconception check-up with my gynecologist who assured me that even though my endometriosis pain had returned, I was fine and should have not troubled conceiving. About five months later (the pain now was so bad that I could not stand up for long periods of time), I went to a fertility specialist who did an ultrasound and assured me that I was perfectly fine. At the recommendation of my gynecologist, I also visited a gastroenterologist who told me that I may have IBS. A few months later, frustrated and in pain, I went back to my gynecologist who told me that maybe I had polycystic ovarian syndrome. He felt an abnormality on my left-hand side, did some blood tests and sent me in for a CT scan. Again, I was told everything was fine - even though I went to pick up my results, the paperwork said, "mildly prominent uterus and ovarian cysts."

I was so frustrated by the time I met with Dr. Kanayama that I was talking about extreme fertility treatments and even adoption. My gynecologist had once told me, "Well, you have endometriosis. You will always be in pain. It's just something you have to learn to live with." On my first visit with Dr. Kanayama, I immediately felt what no doctor has been able to give me - validation. Dr. Kanayama really listened to me and was able to diagnose a serious problem on my first visit - with only an ultrasound. My uterus was shifted forty-five degrees to the left (that was the pain in my side); I had chocolate cysts on my ovaries, endometriosis and even something I had never been diagnosed with before - adenomyosis! Dr. Kanayama told me that I did not, in fact, have to live with my pain.

I was so desperate for some relief from my pain and to conceive that I scheduled immediate surgery with Dr. Kanayama at Greenwich Hospital. The staff there was amazing and I felt at ease in the environment. After the surgery, Dr. Kanayama told me that my back pain was caused by severely embedded endometriosis cells in my lower back. In addition, they were wrapped around my intestine, which accounted for my digestive problems. Almost, magically I felt immediate relief from my lower-back pain! After my surgery, I went to two follow up visits with Dr. Kanayama. I was feeling better and healing nicely. On the second visit (2 weeks after my surgery), he even told me it was safe to start trying to conceive again. My husband and I went home right away and started trying that night. Then, a miracle happened. I actually got pregnant! On my first try after my surgery, I got pregnant! Because conception happened at two weeks, my due date goes back to the day of my surgery with Dr. Kanayama. I will also be grateful for having been fortunate enough to find such a wonderful doctor with a wonderful staff. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Anne